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The Week in Notes: Scott Adams Says Your Job is to Get a Better Job - Are You Ready?
Today, we’re diving into the wild world of perspectives and the alarming realities of trust in the media. I’m James A. Brown, and I’ve got a juicy thought for you: what if your job isn’t just about clocking in and out for a paycheck? Spoiler alert: it’s not! We chat about Scott Adams’ refreshing take that we’re really working for our future, not just our boss. Plus, we’ll tackle some eyebrow-raising stats about teenagers and their views on journalism—turns out, they think news is as trustworthy as a cat in a dog park! So, grab your favorite snack, kick back, and let’s explore why being a “purple person” in a world of black and white could be more important than ever.
Reflecting on the complexity of identity, this episode dives into the concept of being a 'purple person'—someone who blends different perspectives and beliefs rather than fitting neatly into the red or blue categories often associated with political ideologies. James A. Brown, our host, shares his personal journey in navigating this colorful identity and the surprising feedback he received from a YouTube comment that suggested purple people are often the first to go when things get chaotic. This alarming notion sparks a broader conversation about how we, as a society, often trivialize discussions around war and violence, diluting their gravity in our daily discourse.
Brown raises a crucial question that lingers throughout the episode: As we navigate our identities and political landscapes, what does it mean for our future? He expresses genuine concern not just for himself but for the collective well-being of everyone, emphasizing that no one truly desires violence, even those who might think they do. This episode melds personal anecdotes with societal critiques, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own identities and the implications of their beliefs in an ever-polarizing world.
Shifting gears, Brown also touches on the results of a News Literacy Project survey revealing that a significant number of teenagers perceive journalists as unreliable, often believing that quotes are fabricated. This skepticism stems from their experiences growing up in a media landscape where objectivity seems more like a fairy tale than reality. Brown highlights the importance of understanding this generational perspective and engages listeners in a dialogue about trust in news media. As he wraps up, he invites us to ponder our own trust levels and the evolving nature of journalism, making this episode a rich tapestry of personal insights and pressing societal issues.
Takeaways:
- In a world filled with chaos, we need to remember that our experiences shape our views, and that's something to cherish.
- Teenagers today view the news with skepticism, often finding it deceptive, which reflects their reality in a media-saturated world.
- Scott Adams believes our jobs should be more about our future than just fulfilling our boss's demands, which is a refreshing perspective!
- Nantucket has a peculiar tradition of moving houses instead of demolishing them, which is both quirky and eco-friendly in its own right!
- It's crucial to pause and reflect on our privilege, especially when we encounter those who work tirelessly, like my cashier friend.
- The importance of trusting the news has never been more critical, especially when the younger generation sees it as skewed and unreliable.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- YouTube
- Dilbert
- Nantucket Preservation Trust
- realtor.com
Transcript
This is the Daily Note.
Speaker A:I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown.
Speaker A:Not long ago I shared with you that I'm a purple person.
Speaker A:Not a red person or a blue one, but a purple person and proud of it.
Speaker A:My views are a mix of my experiences, as I believe yours are too.
Speaker A:One of the most troubling responses I had to this I received on YouTube.
Speaker A:They said that historically, purple people like me are the first wiped out when it hits the fan.
Speaker A:I can't help but be horrified by that notion.
Speaker A:In this country today, we speak so flippantly about war and violence that the true meaning of those words fade.
Speaker A:But what worries me most isn't whether I'll be wiped out is whether you in this nation will be too.
Speaker A:Because frankly, no one wants that, even those who think they do.
Speaker A:On that note, I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown, and as always, be well.
Speaker A:This is the Daily Note.
Speaker A:I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown.
Speaker A:Half of teenagers believe that journalists make up quotes.
Speaker A:The News Literacy Project surveyed more than 700 of them and when they were asked to describe the news media in one word, 19% said inaccurate or deceptive.
Speaker A:Now I get where they're coming from.
Speaker A:These kids grew up when it was nearly impossible to to pretend that news anchors were different than pundits.
Speaker A:They see reporters opinions on social media constantly and they watch the Internet reward them for their slants.
Speaker A:Objectivity barely existed for these kids.
Speaker A:I think they're seeing our media clearer and more skewed than my generation did.
Speaker A:And I'm not sure which one worries me more.
Speaker A:Do you trust news?
Speaker A:And why do you think these kids don't Let me know on jamesabrown.net on that note, I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown and as always, be well.
Speaker A:This is the Daily Note.
Speaker A:I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown.
Speaker A:Most of us believe that our job is whatever our boss says it is.
Speaker A:You work, you get paid in repeat.
Speaker A:But is that it?
Speaker A:Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, says no.
Speaker A:He says your job is to get a better job.
Speaker A:He says, we don't work for our employer.
Speaker A:We work for our future.
Speaker A:We work to build our skills, to grow our profile, to grow our networks.
Speaker A:We work for us because a company will call itself a family right up to the moment it lays you off or cut you off at the knees and expect you to smile and nod and say, may I have another?
Speaker A:So never forget who you work for.
Speaker A:You, your family and your future.
Speaker A:So is Scott Wright.
Speaker A:Let me know@jamesabrown.net on that note, I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown, and as always, be well, this is the Daily Note.
Speaker A:I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown.
Speaker A:Someone is giving away a five million dollar house in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Speaker A:But there's a catch.
Speaker A:You got to move it in 180 days.
Speaker A:It's the law.
Speaker A:If you want to demolish a house on that island, you have to offer it up for free first.
Speaker A:Wait 30 days and see if anyone wants it.
Speaker A:Mary Bergman of the Nantucket Preservation Trust tells realtor.com that people have been moving houses on Nantucket since they began building there.
Speaker A:They even call it moving season.
Speaker A:Why?
Speaker A:Well, Nantucket is just a pile of sand and there's never been enough wood on that island to build new houses.
Speaker A:And it saves landfill space.
Speaker A:I can't get this picture out of my head.
Speaker A:Houses rolling down, streets cut in half, insulation hanging out.
Speaker A:It's Nantucket Normal.
Speaker A:So what do you think?
Speaker A:Let me know in the comments on jamesabrown.net on that note.
Speaker A:I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown and as always, be well.
Speaker A:This is the Daily note from jamesabrown.net I stopped by the store to fill my gas tank and went inside to get 10 cents off a gallon.
Speaker A:Third in line, second in line.
Speaker A:Then I paid cash.
Speaker A:I talked to the weary cashier who gave me change and from behind the glass he asked me how I was.
Speaker A:Now that's always a hard question for me.
Speaker A:I said, I'm making it.
Speaker A:And I asked him the same.
Speaker A:He agreed.
Speaker A:Keep going, I told him.
Speaker A:Keep trying.
Speaker A:He told me.
Speaker A:I've been up for 44 hours.
Speaker A:He said 12 hours at the gas station, another eight overnight and back again.
Speaker A:And I didn't know what to say.
Speaker A:So I awkwardly told him to get some sleep.
Speaker A:As I pumped my gas, I felt guilty.
Speaker A:I felt privileged and grateful for what I've earned.
Speaker A:On that note, I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown and as always, be well.