Work matters

I am truly lucky to be in a profession which allows me to do what I love for the most part: writing code. I cannot imagine doing something I do not like. In fact, I don't do stuff I don't like :)

But that has not prevented me from thinking about what it would be for the construction worker working in the hot summer or even a banker sitting in an AC room poring over the boring transaction data. 

During the Renaissance, when everything, including life itself, was subjected to analysis, life itself was disassembled into what were considered fundamental but independent activities: work, play, learning, and inspiration.

Institutions were created in which each aactivity could be carried out independently. Factories were designed for work, not play, learning, or inspiration. Theaters and arenas were designed for play, not work, learning, or inspiration. Schools were designed for learning, not work, play, or inspiration. Museums and churches were designed to provide inspiration, not for work, play, or learning.

However, the transformation to systemic thinking has brought with it a growing awareness of the fact that the effectiveness with which any of these activities can be carried out depends on the extent to which they are integrated. Therefore, it has become apparent that a transformational leader must be able to integrate the various aspects of life in order to effectively pursue development. The transformational leader is one who can create an organization that reunifies life, who integrates work, play, learning, and inspiration.  – Russell Ackoff via http://bit.ly/oLsz2.

In other words, work should be fun, productive and inspirational at the same time. i.e. the 8 hours of work, or a third of your life, should not be 'work' anymore. 

That is why I think this is so true:

Passive consumption is the boring old form of entertainment. Joyous creation is the future of entertainment! -via http://bit.ly/XBKzt