I worked as an engineer for six years. My focus was on solving problems and driving teams towards solutions. I received recognition for my efforts. Found a sense of community in my work. After speaking out on a politically charged topic I was let go. I spent three months divided between travel (“finding myself”) and the job hunt. I sent out hundreds of resumes. Not more than one interview. This left me feeling like I wasted time on a fruitless endeavour. It was during this time, I realized that society requires strong work ethic. We produce value for capitalists and those in power. There are different perspectives. Social reform movements strive for more equity and less competition. Fact is, my resume gets lost among thousands. Opportunities may align loosely with your experience. You likely won't get your dream job but at least you can receive an income. It’s impossible to sustain a life with ample leisure without a good salary. Leisure time, alongside meaningful work, is essential for our well-being. Conventional wage labour can be fulfilling. Oftentimes it does not allow for personal expression. It's hard to develop a true sense of identity at the workplace. We have colleagues that could replace us in a heartbeat. The game is designed as dog-eat-dog for job security. Social media apps and parasocial relationships perpetuate alienation. Industries profit from these platforms and services. Virtual reality will soon exploit peoples’ need for community. Meta will profit by offering a “solution” for loneliness. The media engages in propaganda defined by the powerful. They generate divisive and hateful public discourse. Think tanks research new sensationalist drivel or catastrophes that lead the rich to get richer. Insurance fraud, big pharma profit, election ads, premises for war. Folks are unaware that there are bigger influences at play. The common man is pushed down. Politicians, billionaires and capitalists can sit on their thrones. Our hard work and suffering brings money to others. It’s a tragic situation of a desperate society. Living, existing and finding meaning has become so difficult. The world is filled with so much noise and confusion. It’s really sad and I fear for my future.