[One Thousand Characters a Day] Books Going to Work <5> - End and Beginning, Work Again

Editor's NoteOur commute, which begins the moment we open the front door, is always a routine yet strangely unfamiliar, awkward, and distant. The author of ＜Books for Commuting＞ found strength and comfort to endure another day by immersing in a favorite book during that lonely and arduous journey. Part 5 of this book discusses the beginning and end of work. ＜The Death of Ivan Ilyich＞ persistently questions what should be more important in life than work, while ＜The Road to Wigan Pier＞ views work as a social product. ＜The Man Who Sold His Shadow＞ and ＜The Fasting Clown＞ allow for a more serious and profound reflection on the meaning and role of work. Word count: 953.

The German word for occupation, 'beruf,' and the English word 'calling' both imply a 'mission bestowed by God.' Therefore, we must endure occupational labor with a spirit of asceticism to be faithful to divine doctrine. It is to go to heaven and be saved. This is the 'religion of life.' Weber saw that this Puritan work ethic of Calvinism, intertwined with capitalist society, created the modern concept of occupation. This has become a powerful religion dominating the modern workplace. Doing work well makes one appear beautiful; doing poorly makes one look unattractive. Moreover, those who do not work are beings without shadows. They are easily stigmatized, excluded, and despised. In all dramas and films, people who work well are portrayed most beautifully. It seems as if the media, society, and the world are proselytizing the religions of workaholism, meritocracy, and professionalism. The leader of this religion might be the system itself, but the doctrine (being competent is virtue) is so attractive that it draws believers from all nations.

However, doubts arise. Are we not projecting excessive asceticism, desire, salvation, and success myths onto mere livelihood 'work'? Are we still firmly and devoutly believing in a religion born in the 16th century, living while excessively exploited? Humans inevitably live influenced by the trends and circumstances of their birth era, but sometimes we must view the entire era from a distance and also look at our belief system from afar.

So, when work becomes tedious, when I want to slack off, when I want to shirk, and want to justify my laziness, I look at my shadow. I imagine a time when my shadow will disappear. Then I think.

That I do not have to live believing only in the religion this era craves, that I can live a life of skepticism and contemplation about who created everything that exploits and constricts me. That time may be when I need to convert from the religion called 'capitalism.'

- Gu Chae-eun, ＜Books for Commuting＞, Pajit, 16,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.