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And I know the point of this conference is to celebrate things that are near and dear to us, but I also know that clean and dirty aren't opposites. They're two sides of the same coin, just like innovation and imitation, like risk and responsibility, like peripetia and anagnorisis, like that poor little lamb, who I hope isn't quivering anymore, and like my time that's gone." -Mike Rowe |
The TED Talk I watched reinforced ideas presented in Working In The Shadows by Gabriel Thompson. These ideas revolve around American jobs that are typically overlooked and their impact on people as consumers. Through the speaker's work experience, he's debunked some of the myths behind these 'undesirable' jobs. First, he states that workers in these positions are happier than most people think. Thompson illustrates this when coworkers Julio and Candelario, whom have noticed his apparent struggle that particular day, offer help without hesitation. They both assure him that they are happy to help and Julio claims that he enjoys cutting the extra lettuce (Thompson 59). Their actions and words diminish validity of the notion that all hard workers dislike their job. Next, Rowe speaks about the false impression that safety is a priority among workers. His time on a crab boat displays the lack of concern about personal well-being as long as money is the motivation. This connection is evident in Maria's choice to stay at work even though she is pregnant (Thompson 23). It is obvious that her presence at work is harmful to her health, however like many other workers, their work is driven by the promise of a paycheck. I like how the TED Talk challenged my perception of the American worker and made me realize the American Dream of following your passion is flawed, ultimately causing me to reconsider future career choices.