no hippy, but I am beginning to seriously question the values that I subscribed to for most of my professional life, especially now that I truly believe that this model for most of us is unsustainable. If I whittle my values down to the bone, they encompass: meaningful and fulfilling work - not mindless ambition, nor rampant status and material wealth accrual time spent with family and friends - no nannies, and plenty of laughing security - an income that supports the above and a house to do it in These should not be hard won, nor should their pursuit wear us to the bone, but for many of us, achieving it is exhausting. The values of the west are fucked, and maintaining them, in the light of diminishing resources and insecure economic systems, is not a possibility. There have already had food shortages in Europe due to interruptions in food distribution linked to economic factors. That's a sign. So I am looking at alternatives. I don't know where it leads, but I want quality of life for my family and I, and believe I will have to think outside the box and make a leap. How do people- men and women alike - live like this? ( though "exist" may be a more appropriate verb than "live") why are they so embarrassingly, cravenly grateful for the culture that allows it? It's so f***ing undignified. It's got to be workaholism right? They're obviously smart enough to gain an income without