First, they tell us that managers and CEOs get paid the lion's share because they take the hit when something goes wrong. Well, there's a lot of companies SORELY fucking up right now, but I'm not exactly seeing a wave of CEOs getting fired, demoted, or reduced wages. What the fuck? Then why should I do their work for less money???
Second, passion is taken advantage of. All the time, in every industry. You want your job to feel meaningful? Prepare to be overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated by both your peers as well as the people you're helping. They tell you you're doing God's work to emotionally manipulate you into doing more.
Third, they tell us we are directly responsible for our success. But the reality is other people's perceptions affect us more than the value we produce. I once had a boss tear into me for not doing enough “x”. I went back an entire year and proved I did MORE “x” than last year. But that didn't matter, I was more efficient so it LOOKED like I was doing less, and that's all the boss saw.
Fourth, even “side gigs” are so competitive they just do not pay anymore.
Yesterday, me and my partner did a shift for Skip the Dishes. It was a huge snowstorm out and people were tipping generously. Despite this, we only made $20 hourly. There's a lot of Skip drivers now, and apparently we're all desperate enough to work in a snowstorm, so we spent a lot of time waiting for orders. It didn't help that several restaurants didn't have the orders ready for 15+ minutes, yet again proving that despite working hard and being eager, other people's actions affect your value.
Society is a lie. Hard work is a lie. Value is a lie. This entire system is broken.
Anyway idk why I wrote this. Just feels like I'm stuck in hell and my only options are to have my mortal soul shredded, or let demons shove pineapples up my ass.