In America, work is often who we are. Some might take issue with this. By-and-large, we are what we do. If you think something different, ask yourself why, when attending parties or the requisite networking after hours some of us are subjected to, why the line of first questioning always settles on, “What do you do for work?”

Our current cultural norm places a positive moral value on doing a good job. This is rooted  in the Protestant Reformation, which made physical labor acceptable for all persons, even the wealthy. Prior to the 16^th century, working hard (in the absences of compulsion) was not the norm for Hebrew, classical, or medieval cultures. Continue reading →