Categories: All - system - compliance - originality - conformity

by Travis Allison 13 years ago

337

Linchpin_Are_You_Indispensable?

The text discusses how society, from a young age, indoctrinates individuals to conform to a standardized way of living, pushing them to seek traditional employment and fit into predefined roles.

Linchpin_Are_You_Indispensable?

Linchpin - Seth Godin

Premise

“Years ago, when you were about four years old, the system set out to persuade you of something that isn’t true.
I think each one of us needs to start with that.”
When exactly were we brainwashed into believing that the best way to earn a living is to have a job?
We were brainwashed into fitting in, and then discovered that the economy wanted people who stood out instead.
And so generations of students turned into generations of cogs, factory workers in search of a sinecure.
Our culture needed compliant workers, people who would contribute without complaint, and we set out to create as many of them as we could.
Show signs of real creativity, originality or even genius, and well-meaning parents, teachers and authority figures would eagerly line up to get you back in line.
Step out of line and the system would nudge (or push) you back to the center.
That creating average stuff for average people, again and again, is a safe and easy way to get what you want.
That compliant work is the best way to a reliable living.
The mission: to teach you that you’re average.
Not just persuade, but drill, practice, reinforce, and yes, brainwash.

Video

Original Map

Principles

7
Learn
6
Fail
5
Ship
4
Acknowledge the lizard
3
Make art
2
Be generous
1
Connect

Links

Changethis
Zenhabits