The ugly truth about our economy
Folks, the art world and publishing world are fiercely competitive even in the very best of times, so you’re going to need a backup career just in case things don’t work out. This also applies to those who aspire to fame and fortune in journalism, professional athletics, the music industry, most of the entertainment industry, and most of the jobs that the world covets. You’ve got to be really talented, and really hard-working. And yes, lucky. I realize I’m very, very, very, very lucky to have a job that I (usually) enjoy and that allows me to make a living. Of course, I suspect those outside those fields overestimate the role of luck. My buddy Cam – now on the Sportsman Channel! – will periodically hear from someone, “boy, you’re really lucky to find a job where you get to host a radio show!” and he has to bite his tongue and refrain from mentioning all the years he worked as reporter and assistant news director, driving all over the state of Oklahoma on any assignment he could get, long hours, lousy pay, and so on.
Nobody just hands you a plum job in journalism. Okay, unless you’re Chelsea Clinton, nobody just hands you a plum job in journalism.
Perhaps most unnervingly, perhaps a significant chunk of our younger workforce isn’t really well-prepared to do much of anything.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Don’t sell them short, they racked up billions in college loans learning to use Microsoft and party in college.
Oh and they can tweet!
rob verdi on February 13, 2013 at 3:58 PM
It’s those blasted Counter-Revolutionary Republicans trying to ‘wreck’ the economy again.
/Dear Liar.
Galt2009 on February 13, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Sometimes you can make your own luck through hard work and perseverance. Not always, but it certainly will improve your odds. Standing around whining and thinking the world owes you something will decrease your odds. You can bet on that.
fogw on February 13, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Tell me about it. I have one in college as a music major and another in high school who now wants to major in studio art(and that was after a full court press by the whole family to convince her that she was not talented enough to major in music.) The music major almost certainly would not be in college if he had not been able to study music; it is all he has cared about since he was 12. But he is very realistic about making a living with it, and is in college in a city where the music industry is huge and the college helps grads find jobs. And we have insisted that he get a part-time job to pay his living expenses, so he understands what stuff costs and how to stretch a dollar.
rockmom on February 13, 2013 at 4:18 PM
It’s not getting better. The Democrats can’t run a lemonade stand and the Republicans cave so often Rand Paul must feel like a spelunker.
Much more and we might have to forget about modern life and go live on little farms again. Which will suck royally. My little brother has an actual job, but things are so bad his employer literally has nothing for him to do and mom is keeping his old room open.
MelonCollie on February 13, 2013 at 4:28 PM
And anyway, as victims of generational theft by a bunch of old establishment Democrats and Republicans in Washington DC there isn’t much left for young people to hope for. There will either be a long slow, decline into authoritarian statism, which so far the ruling class has been able to maintain by mortgaging the future of the young, or if the young are lucky there will be a sharp systemic crash deep enough to shake out the crooks at the top of the totem pole so that things can finally start to get better.
FloatingRock on February 13, 2013 at 4:35 PM
I think it is almost inevitable that the government will eventually forgive all these student loans. It’s going to be either that or pay to keep all these useless grads on benefits forever.
There was a great comment left at the Last Psychiatrist blog, saying that this is the end result of a longterm effort by the intellectual class to assume power over the wealth producers. They need lots of people who believe they should have the power, and convincing everyone they need a college degree is how they did it. Now a majority of people think a college degree is the most important credential for having power, not producing wealth which may or may not require a degree.
rockmom on February 13, 2013 at 4:51 PM
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. We aren’t practicing free trade, as we’ve heard. We’re practicing reverse protectionism.
DFCtomm on February 13, 2013 at 5:08 PM
It’s more people are creative and they want a channel to pursue or have hope of being relevant. Many people work on screenplays or books, which both at best have very little chance of succeeding. The music industry is probably worse with piracy, tons of indie bands, etc. But it makes people feel more fulfilled.
IR-MN on February 13, 2013 at 5:10 PM
Really? There are people like that, but the percentage is so small they aren’t worth talking about. The average, stupid, low ambition person is going to starve, or sign up for assistance.
DFCtomm on February 13, 2013 at 5:14 PM
And none of them make/create so much as one red cent! All they do is move existing wealth around.
OldEnglish on February 13, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Actually entertainment is one of the export areas that the US does very well in. Although your general point is right that for most people their creative activities is not very productive.
IR-MN on February 13, 2013 at 5:28 PM
I concede your point on moving foreign wealth to the home front. I have a habit of getting annoyed when people speak of a booming economy, when it is merely shifting the deckchairs.
OldEnglish on February 13, 2013 at 5:32 PM
Thanks for making my point again.
fogw on February 13, 2013 at 5:32 PM
So was I whining or thinking the world owed me something, or, perhaps, both?
DFCtomm on February 13, 2013 at 5:37 PM
No.
fogw on February 13, 2013 at 5:51 PM
That’s downright bloody painful to read, all the moreso because it isn’t exaggerated in the slightest! De-press-ing!
MelonCollie on February 13, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Sometimes you can make your own luck through hard work and perseverance. Not always, but it certainly will improve your odds.
fogw on February 13, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Not to worry, the Feds will tax hard work and perseverance out of the young people coming up. Why work hard or risk their money in investing just to give it all to Obama and the Democrats?
RJL on February 13, 2013 at 7:03 PM