Play has many layers of depth. `Playing by the Rules’ is the first level of play. It goes like this – get an education, an apprenticeship or a tertiary degree. Those who are lucky enough will get a secure, high paying job or start a successful business. This is the ticket to buying a house, a mortgage and being more attractive to a potential partner. We exchange time, money and energy for financial security, status and the things that money can buy. There are exceptions to the rule. Some people choose singleness as a `lifestyle choice.’ For others, a relationship breakdown, death of a partner or the imbalance between the sexes may mean temporary or long-term singleness through no fault of their own.
Let’s look at a `fictional’ couple called `Jack and Jill’. Jack and Jill climbed the hill of education and secured good jobs. They have a house in the suburbs with a large mortgage, 2 children, a daughter and son (Charlie and Travis) and a dog called ruffles. Jack and Jill will spend most of their lives working to pay off a house (and any other debts). They want to accumulate enough superannuation for a comfortable retirement. Outside of work, Jill really enjoys her weekly yoga class and likes reading self-help, motivational books like `Women Who Swim with the Sharks’, `Fearless Woman’ and `The Power of Me.’ Jack loves his Australian Rules Football, fixing things and is an avid reader of sports magazines. They both love Netflix and renovation shows. Jack and Jill are a `down to earth’, practical couple who are very accepting of other people.
In their retirement, Jack and Jill plan to travel, spend more time on their hobbies and are hoping for grandchildren. Jack and Jill aren’t religious people. Jack thinks churches are full of ` money grubbing-hypocrites’. Jack can put aside his opinions and relate well to people in general. Jill has some vague, fleeting thoughts on the possibility life after death. Jack and Jill are very self- reliant people. If there is no God or certainty beyond this life; then we must strive to look after ourselves and each other. In a universe where God is absent; we are all alone. Like cosmic orphans, we must look to our own efforts to survive through extended family, friends and relying on the state.
Jack is very popular around the office. He’s very good at fixing things unlike `whiny Simon.’ Jack likes to help his co-workers with their computer problems. He has a practical knack for learning new skills and teaching others. Whiny Simon is usually ‘too busy’ to help other people. He always has time to ‘volunteer’ his opinions about the latest social cause or grievance to his jaded co-workers. Whiny Simon is a humanitarian; an advocate for many a good cause who dislikes people. Shaking his head in dismay, Whiny Simon can’t believe that most people stubbornly cling to their ‘outdated’ and `reactionary’ views that hold back progress. Whiny Simon prides himself on being ‘outspoken’. He loves posting on Facebook to share his thoughts with a broader audience. People usually find excuses to avoid Whiny Simon at work.
Jill is admired by her peers for her calm temperament and ability to make good decisions in stressful situations. Jill’s boss, Steve, nominated her for an `Emerging Leaders’ program at work. Jill struggles with another co-worker, Georgia or ‘Regan’. Georgia was nicknamed Regan after the young female lead character in the movie, `The Exorcist’, who was possessed by a demon. Some of Georgia’s co-workers believe she is possessed by an evil spirit. Georgia’s icy, cold presence causes the room temperature to drop by 10 degrees whenever she enters the office. Ruby the admin officer joked that everyone was waiting for Georgia’s head to rotate around 180 degrees while the demonic spirit openly manifests itself. Georgia resents Jill because she received a promotion for her good work. Georgia can’t understand this. ‘I’ve been in the job for six months…. where’s my promotion?’, she thinks to herself. Georgia feels that she is a victim of a massive systemic injustice.
Playing by the rules has many advantages.
Hard work and getting qualified works for most of us. Some people manage to find work they really enjoy or find meaningful. Jack and Jill have more freedom, comfort and choice over their lives. Rules provide a level of security, predictability and communicate clear expectations around human behaviour. What if Peter, the payroll officer decided to give into his non-conformist playful streak and take 4 weeks holiday leave without going through the formal leave application processes. While Peter is laying on the beach at Bali enjoying the sound of the waves breaking onto the sand, his angry co-workers can’t understand why they were not paid this fortnight. Whiny Simon and Georgia have the time to ride their favourite hobby horses and pursue grievances. For many people who are materially poor, life is a struggle to get the basics and with fewer options. Involuntary poverty is not much fun. People who ‘play by the rules’ can be very resentful of other people who `don’t pull their weight’ or the `work shy’ like their welfare dependent neighbours. Adversity is the great leveller of social status. We are only one accident away from being on a Disability Support Pension.
The downside of playing by the rules: ‘wage slavery.’
There is a downside to exchanging time, money and energy for financial security. The promise of having a `great career’ fades like a desert mirage in the grind of the daily routines of work. The mind-numbing reality of being stuck in a cubicle or open plan office doing repetitive tasks starts to wear thin. Collaboration is difficult when other people have mentally `clocked off’ and have low levels of motivation. Jill would like to find another position to avoid having to work with Georgia. This is not possible for Jill as she cannot afford to take a pay cut. The fear of the loss of financial security keeps many people in a state that feels like ‘wage slavery’. Most people will stay in jobs they have outgrown or dislike. Playing by the rules has another advantage. The ability to buy goods, consume experiences and pursue our pleasures self-medicates us from the mind-numbing reality of routines that become staid and boring. This dovetails with the second level of `play as hedonism’ or the quest for pleasure.
Foolish Times 