I think the earth will survive, not so sure about mankind. When we look to biology, an organism that overpowers it's environment, say Kudzu, the invasive vine that runs wild in some part of the southeastern United States, overpowers and kills the trees and shrubs that it grown on. The vine then is forced into contact with the ground, and unfriendly environment, and it dies off. Then the forest and undergrowth can restart. Another example, in areas with no predators wildlife, like deer will overpopulate, overgraze, weaken, become vulnerable to disease, die off. When the deer population plummets the vegetation regrows.
If mankind is not careful, we will die off, then the earth will regenerate and be just fine, without us. Is this plague nature's warning that we are overtaxing the earth?
When I started at this job 12 years ago, I actually thought I would work until I was at least 70, in a dark moment I would say that they would simply find me decomposing at my desk one day. My work has long been an important part of my life. But I have changed. There are things I want to do in life, that I can't do while working. And I want to do them while I am healthy enough to do them. I am not the healthiest person, not that health is any guarantee of long life, I don't expect to be alive and vigorous at 80 or 90. There are a few people I work with that seem unable to give up working, they retire and continue to consult. One is resistant to engaging the next generation, circling back to her old friends, dragging them out of retirement at times. We need new minds, new ideas, new voices.
When I can get out, I will, and I hope to be replaced by fresh ideas. A few years ago I asked a student intern to write a paper about securing the financial future of Social Security retirement income, what she emailed on her way to the airport at the end of semester, was an essay saying old people should retire or die, so her generation could find better jobs. I never published her paper, it was not what she said, it was how she said it that was problematice. Securing the future of retirement income, encourages older workers to retire, and you can hire almost two entry level professionals for what I am paid. We have been interviewing in the office recently, the correct answer to where do want to be in five years, is having my job.
The earth will do exactly as you describe if we don't stop abusing it. It doesn't need us at all, but we sure need earth.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. While I retired to years ago at 61, that was too late with a partner 8 years older than myself and who is slowing down. Even though I had to be pushed at times, I am so glad we travelled internationally when it was easier for us.
The enthusiasm and fresh ideas that can be brought into an organisation can be great, even if at times wrong and the adage 'Before you change something, find out why it is that way in the first place', is very apt.
Yes, have a decent and secure income in retirement is the secret to encourage older workers to retire. Some jobs can be done into old age, many cannot.
J is four years older than I, he will be 69 when I retire,
DeleteI was forced out of my 17 year job in june by a 30-something snotnose who thinks he knows everything and the company founder's son-in-law.
ReplyDeletethe company is now close to bankruptcy; the snotnose is not paying the bills and selling product. the s-i-l is a lazy shit who does nothing but spend his day typing numerous e-mails to christ only knows who and telling you how great he is.
people CAN and SHOULD work as long as they want with NO interference!
Individual choice, I was somewhat surprised when my feelings one work changed, to oh, I can have a life without this.
DeleteYes, one generation does need to retire and make way for the next, instead of hanging on and on and on. At some point we need to turn over the reins gracefully.
ReplyDeleteI am making plans and looking forward to moving on
DeleteYou are so right about the earth. It will rebound once we humans are done abusing it. As for work, I am well past retirement age and still working 4 days a week. There have been days when I'd wish I wasn't working but for the most part I'm thankful for my job. My work is valued and that keeps me happy.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about cutting back to part time, if I do that it would be in a different capacity than what I do now.
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