@cyberlyra I could have added more details on the barriers but have a character limit on my server.
The short point I'm making is keeners are actively discouraged from being keeners. "What's the point? You'll only succeed being a cog in the machine." It doesn't account for some people being wired this way and having to continue to learn every day, every hour in order to not wither and die.

@cyberlyra To get the license you have to apply for a tax ID and announce to the government you're starting a business. And banks have eliminated cash so they can have their greedy fingers in everything so now you need a merchant account with monthly fees on top of the % off of each sale. You can only turn your passion into a business if you already have money. There's so many barriers to entry that you need to keep working for the gate keepers to survive. 2/2

@cyberlyra Here's another thing that's screwed up about U.S. culture that discourages keeners:
I've learned to smith silver & leather and sculpt (and so much more!) but what do I do with all these chains, backpacks, bags and creatures I've made that people keep telling me they love? Maybe I'll start a business. I try to open a bank account but the bank says, "Do you have a business license?" "No, I'm just starting." Well, you have to pay for a license to open an account to run your business. 1/

@cyberlyra I feel this intensely. I need to keep learning to feed my soul. I work on salary and am constantly asked to produce more & more. The companies I've worked for start assigning 9 AM to 5 PM work then it's 8-6 and eventually 7-9 or later, leaving me no time to feed my soul. They say it should feel rewarding because they are my "family" and who doesn't want to do everything they can for their family? My soul withers and then I have to leave to regain my soul. It's nothing but exploitation

@TheConversationUS Raising questions? Really? We already know how this will end. We've read the book.

@pezmico So much this. Also about my own gender. It affects me not at all what gender people want to think I am.

@tuneJabber He only uses his powers for good.

@elderpumpkin I'm getting ready to start my fourth year here and have only found one other.

@Bakerella He just wants a hug.

@benjamincox I don't see it. He'd have to have an overly long neck tie and a comb over to pull off that look.

@elderpumpkin No but I saw that one the other day! (Small world!) This is on Parker in Shirley, MA.

In New England we turn lemons into lemonade or, in our case, successive blizzards into twenty foot snowmen. #snowmegeddon #snow #blizzard #snowman #sculpture #fun

@Xover0 Thanks!

Mastodon never disappoints. I search superbowl and find posts filled with owls, as it should be.
Here's my contribution to Superb Owl day. I felted this fellow from lamb and alpaca wool. #SuperbOwl #felting #HandMade #nature #fibet #wool #alpaca
Happy Superb Owl Day!

@noodlemaz @Crell @krig @JustinMac84 You wouldn't be the first bartender with a PhD. If you can get into a fine dining establishment you will be surprised at what you can earn.

@Crell @JustinMac84 @krig See? So you're not a one trick pony. Those are all skills that hold great value for when the end of the world arrives. When the manufacturing plants shut down because there is no more water and the world is on fire, you'll last longer than many.

@Crell @JustinMac84 @krig And that's also a problem related to the big picture of why this is happening: greed. If people would rather buy cheap crap from exploited, impoverished countries then your wood workers, leather smiths, jewelers and other manual artists, that can't be replaced by AI, can't afford to survive. So kiss artistry and beauty goodbye. That's the world silicone valley wanted and got.

@Crell @JustinMac84 @krig Yes. I had a job that was ethically questionable and faced the same dilemma. All I'm suggesting is you might use part of your nights and weekends to learn something different, something AI resistant, to have as a backup when this all falls apart. Also, by being productive in an unfamiliar arena, it may distract you and lessen your angst. You'll be doing something positive to educate yourself instead of just letting guilt wash over you.

@JustinMac84 Meanwhile they could be learning something else in their free time that will be minimumly affected by A.I. so if the hammer comes down they have an option to turn to. It's not all or nothing. @krig @Crell