Workaholic

I have recently read several articles about young people in America's middle class who take pride in working 70-100 hours per week at corporate jobs. In these materialistic, socially irresponsible times in America, this is seen as commendable. America ranks 5th in per-hour productivity, according to one study, behind four European nations, where work hours are much shorter and vacations much longer and more frequent. In other words, these compulsive American workers are doing less in more time. What are they trying to avoid? Are they trying to avoid conflict with insatiably greedy corporate bosses, who pay themselves exorbitantly and lavish luxury and liesure on themselves and their families? They will obviously avoid meaningful cooperative relationships with other human beings. Those relationships require time, attention and consistency. Is it any wonder that some reports indicate that sexuality among these workaholics is more and more alcohol/drug laced and utilitarian. What does it mean for a society when its educated achiever class are isolated by work which precludes quality social and cultural contact? The answer is already quite visible in newspapers and on the streets. Quality of life requires diversity of life experiences and moderation in all things. This quality lies within the Middle Path of Buddhist practice.