Would you rather: Be homeless or have a job you hate?

[seeker5]

I didn't vote because I know I can't do either.

I can no longer work in a job I hate.

But I don't have the strength yet to be homeless.

[Ninfoboo]

Voted on having a job. Had to pick it because of my family depending on it, and it wouldn't feel right to me to introduce others into a homeless lifestyle.

[Didi]

I think it's a bit of a false choice. In what situation would someone be working at a job they hate? At some point in the past they would have had to apply for said job, illustrating their potential to apply for other jobs. Why would someone apply for a job they hate? Perhaps they say it's the only choice? It would be a very rare scenario where the only choice of employment would be a job that you truly despise, with every fibre of your being. Being homeless is a 24/7 job of survival, whereas the job you hate is likely only about 8 hours a day, possibly up to 10-12.

Maybe it comes down to: would you rather have the physical means to improve your situation (i.e. job you hate) or the spiritual/emotional means (i.e. homeless but free). There was a quote in the recent movie "Becoming Jane" that says: "Nothing crushes spirit like poverty", or something to that effect. I am inclined to agree with it.

Yeah, so it's a hypothetical question. That doesn't stop it from being ridiculous. To be fair, I have always felt that Steve's advice to up and quit your crap job and start on the path you love to be too wildly optimistic and extreme to be feasible. Life is not black and white, but endless shades of gray.

I am sure that 99.9% of the homeless population would gladly take your crap job in exchange for their lack-of-home.

[WilkesG]

Originally Posted by Didi

I think it's a bit of a false choice. In what situation would someone be working at a job they hate? At some point in the past they would have had to apply for said job, illustrating their potential to apply for other jobs. Why would someone apply for a job they hate? Perhaps they say it's the only choice? It would be a very rare scenario where the only choice of employment would be a job that you truly despise, with every fibre of your being. Being homeless is a 24/7 job of survival, whereas the job you hate is likely only about 8 hours a day, possibly up to 10-12.

Maybe it comes down to: would you rather have the physical means to improve your situation (i.e. job you hate) or the spiritual/emotional means (i.e. homeless but free). There was a quote in the recent movie "Becoming Jane" that says: "Nothing crushes spirit like poverty", or something to that effect. I am inclined to agree with it.

Yeah, so it's a hypothetical question. That doesn't stop it from being ridiculous. To be fair, I have always felt that Steve's advice to up and quit your crap job and start on the path you love to be too wildly optimistic and extreme to be feasible. Life is not black and white, but endless shades of gray.

I am sure that 99.9% of the homeless population would gladly take your crap job in exchange for their lack-of-home.

This is a VERY tough one for me. I have been in a profession I hate for years, and it has slowly seeped the life out of me. I really just came to the realization lately that I can't continue for much longer doing what I am doing, but am REALLY trying to do some soul searching as to where to turn next. With the economy the way it is, it is extremely difficult to change jobs, and especially to change careers. I feel like I am on a bridge to nowhere, and have often felt like my life has no purpose, and in many ways I feel like I have already ruined it. I need to start a new path but my current job doesn't really allow me to. Prior to this job I was unemployed for many months, and only took this because it was the only job I could find...and after a month I knew that if my life had to consist of going to this job every day, than I would rather not be living at all. So this question is a very tough one for me.

[Andrew Brunelle]

It's the truth that most jobs suck. I would totally rather be homeless than work at a job I hate. And with the way the economy is going, more and more people are forced to settle for less or become homeless. Most low-level jobs are demeaning and exploitative, so settling for a job like that would be beneath me. Having a job is very risky anyway because you have no control over your income. You can be let go through no fault of your own. You are better off not working for the man if you can do it. If you can become self-employed and really make it work, you are one lucky human being. Lucky or talented. And you need to lead by example to show others that working for the man is very narrow-minded and fear-based.

Here's a link: Why Work? // Featured Essay

[schola]

Most of us have never been homeless, so how can we make an informed decision? I've read stories about people who have been homeless though, and some say it's not too bad.

[Some Random Loser]

In some places people have to do both!