Standards of Living

I think of this article about productivity and standards of living in the same train of thought that my best of post, even though I certainly didn’t write it myself. The basic idea is that given our current levels of productivity we could have a 1948 standard of living by working only half of what we work now. The comparison between productivity and standards of living is, I think an interesting and useful way to think about work, and creative output. I’ve written from time to time on the subject of making a living from/while being an artist, and I think I keep returning to that essay because it connects with something similar in my mind.

While the productivity vs. standards of living comparison leads rather neatly into an anti-modern “living more simply” conclusion, I’m hesitant to subscribe quickly to a conclusion that seems so naive. Quite often the “living more simply,” (which includes organics, “green”/sustainable production, and so forth) would seem to require a certain amount of wealth to be able to sustain, and takes a very micro-scale solution to a macro-scale problem.

At the same time I can respect the pleasure of living a more simple life–and certainly the way my digital life continues to develop has been along a path of greater simplicity–and I expect that as I continue to sort out my “lifestyle,” for the near future thinking about the differences between “needs” and “wants.” I don’t think living more simply, or being more conscious of excess is the same thing as living minimally, or practicing self-sacrifice in the name of some greater good.

At least for me, the discussion of “being effective,” at the things that really matter to me (writing this blog, being a good friend, writing better fiction, being a productive employee, dancing, knitting, and so forth), is intertwined with thinking about my professional life and career–and issues of productivity there–and is intertwined with an evaluation of material needs. It’s very much a holistic effort, and I think thinking about all these things together can help us be more effective and derive more pleasure from the things that we do. I think this is the case for me.

Have a good weekend, and I look forward in seeing if you have anything to add here.

Onward and Upward!