Degenerate: to become worse in quality -Cambridge Dictionary
In postmodern society, workers are forced (It seems like not that forced though) to continuously pursue higher efficiency and greater output. However, a harsh work environment with no work-life balance can lead us to further neglect our own reproductive capacity, trapping us in a vicious cycle of energy depletion.
This is also true for creators and digital nomads: although they can control when and where to work, they still need to re-examine and rethink their work inertia and habits, whether they admit it or not. Even though they no longer have a boss, monetary value still dominates their work and indirectly affects their lives.
The reproduction referred to here is not just about rest and relaxation, but also about scientifically managing time, cultivating healthy living habits, and fostering a positive psychological state. We work here for a long run isn't?
When encountering an energy bottleneck at work, it might be more necessary to examine whether your reproduction is effective, rather than extending work hours. Such reflection and examination require more time, energy, and thought than the work itself.
Sleeping, gaming, reading, learning, philosophical reflection, interpersonal relationships, and physical health are all non-productive activities that fall under the category of personal reproduction. This concept originates from the Marxist theory of "personal reproduction," which is an extension of the social reproduction theory.
The Marxist theory posits that production includes not only the production of material goods but also the reproduction of labour power. The reproduction of labour power requires not only food, shelter, and other material conditions but also the fulfilment of personal physiological, psychological, and social needs to maintain and enhance the ability of labour power to engage in production again.
On one hand, in terms of time and energy allocation, the strategy should be to extend reproduction time as much as possible and compress production time, rather than the other way around. Production activities squeezing out reproduction time can bring a false sense of satisfaction, which has been criticized by many psychological schools. For example, the cause of procrastination is precisely the lack of specialization in reproduction, not insufficient effort in work. By adjusting this strategy, personal time and energy can be clearly divided, forming a sense of finiteness. "Finish quickly and leave quickly" can, in turn, promote the improvement of production efficiency and the specialization of reproduction.
On the other hand, the variety of reproduction activities should be expanded (following the principle of marginal utility) to examine whether there is an over-reliance on a single reproduction activity. Reproduction should not be limited to a single activity but requires the richness of multiple activities to complement each other.
This shift in personal production-reproduction perspective can effectively address postmodern issues like fragmented entertainment, lack of attention, procrastination, anxiety, and low energy. By changing your perspective, you can reclaim your energy and effectiveness from now on!
Recommended Reading
Karl Marx: "Das Kapital," "Grundrisse"
Louis Althusser: "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses," "For Marx"
Slavoj Žižek: "The Sublime Object of Ideology," "Violence: Six Sideways Reflections"
