Re: Self-defined work

[Magic Circ Op Rep Ens]

From: G. Stewart To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Ray,   You ask what I think.   I think you've made a very nice analysis.   I also think that, if we really put our minds to it, we could increase the possibilities for the first kind of valuable work. I don't despair of social policy - the problem is that we don't think sufficiently imaginatively about its possibilities. We seek to maximize jobs rather than maximizing the leisure time for self-directed projects.    I like your sense of self-directed work as forming itself naturally into "projects." This is a thought worth pursuing. Not only are you right -- self-directed work will naturally take organic shape, coming as it does from the heart and soul and muscles -- but you point to a way that we might manage to have it validated. Increasing "leisure" will never do in this society but fostering "projects" might even become fashionable. This deserves more thought and discussion -- you have struck upon something here.     Gail   ----- Original Message ----- From: Magic Circ Op Rep Ens To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 11:00 PM Subject: Re: Self-defined work I think two things.   1. That there is valuable work that comes from within and is not subject to the typical hired hand hourly pay scale that neo-liberal economics relies on.   This work is project oriented and requires that it have a beginning, development, fulfillment and renewal process order.   A work that comes from this area that is simply finished by the clock is usually mediocre and trash.   This work includes arts and culture, medicine, education and the serious practice of the law.   2. That there is valuable work that is humdrum and paid by the hour that exists within the efficiency model of a lump of labor formula.    Such work has a wide parameter in its quality and can be executed in great numbers within that parameter without losing its basic value.      In Science, the O rings on the Challenger Spacecraft or the Hubbell mirror would be the first while a piece of furniture, a video tape or even an automobile would be the latter.   A piano for a musician would be different than a piano for a non-musician and an operation by a surgeon would have the same issues based upon the age and fitness requirements of the patient.       Agile projects are used as a kind of cross over from factories to number one.   That is done to save money but I believe will be ultimately be a failure because of the difference in intent.  Pattern number 2 is not a useful process for movies for example because movies require such a high degree of expertise from their personnel that the lump of labor process is not applicable.    Got to go to rehearsal,   What do you think?   REH   ----- Original Message ----- From: G. Stewart To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 1:25 PM Subject: Self-defined work In the engaging "less is less" thread, Ray wrote:.   >  The external motivation of utilitarian thought is an anathema to the meaning of the study of human expression through practice i.e. art.     Does this then not argue for moving toward self-defined work, as we have discussed on this list many times?   Is it time to begin a serious exploration of the possibility -- its concepts, processes, supportive infrastructures?   Regards,   Gail   Gail Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED]