Why Isn’t Life More Meaningful? Thoughts on Marxist Alienation, Wage Labor and Suffering

You have a job. And you probably don’t like it. Why? The reasons are varied. Maybe you don’t make enough. Maybe you hate your boss. Maybe your benefits stink. Maybe your commute is too long. Maybe your job lacks creativity or a measure of control. Or maybe your job is just dull. Maybe you spend too many hours on spreadsheets and emails that are slowly sucking the life out of you.

Work in today’s world is alienating. Most of us work at jobs that have little creativity, meaning, or connection to one’s values. Most will not look back at their day jobs in 30 years and feel pride or meaning from their work. But work is a necessary evil to fund a bourgeoise lifestyle. You can’t have the nice apartment and car without selling your labor to the highest bidder.

Almost no one questions this way of life. After all, why should they? Capitalism is the only game in town. Trading in your labor for a wage is how things are done. That it is detrimental to the mental well-being of most humans is immaterial. As long as you’re generating wealth for your company and yourself, you are making the system work. Who cares if you’re miserable and being exploited? Your well-being isn’t a concern.