Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Hazards and Benefits of Near-to-Unpaid Work

I keep getting the same question thrown at me, usually in a high pitched tone of disbelief/outrage/confusion:

          "WHAT?? YOU'RE WORKING FOR FREE??????????????????????????????????????"

My attempts to explain the situation are usually met with derision and disbelief, usually cumulating in the idea that i am crazy, the only possible explanation.

Yes, I work for next to nothing. One of my jobs doesn't even pay me - its all volunteer work. My other job pays very little - and I work overtime and more - but its not for lack of wanting to pay me. Money is hard to get, especially for programming. I'm sure my boss would love to pay me my worth in gold but he can't. Simple as that.

However, and I know this is terribly naive, but I'm not all in it for the money. I do it out of a sense of love and happiness. I love working for my boss: he's one of my top 5 favorite people in the world and I like being his brain, to be given responsibility (except when calling people. lol) and to see and participate in the various native programming that we plan/play a part in.

I dont really worry about what I want to do in the future anymore because I know: I want to work with tribes. ok i have to figure out recognized v. unrecognized and what area (health, education, etc) but i know. I'm happy where i'm at now, despite kinda having to worry about paying the rent and stuff.  or having enough money.

But for now i am fine with my obvi-liberal leaning disgust towards money and life-is-all-about-personal-gain-and-screw-everyone-else viewpoint that  our capitalistic world has developed. After all, we're missing that sincerity, that care, in a world that desperately needs it.    


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