Schizopedia

It occurs to me that most people in our society are schizophrenic.

And that their schizophrenia originates in their insanity about their insanity.

I am talking about work. Work. The defining feature of our culture.

People are different people at work. They do this on purpose. Their personality, their Self, at Work, which is to say, for one third of their waking life, is completely different from their Self when not at work. They pretend they are a different person. They lead -- and they do this intentionally, and even openly -- two separate lives. They are two separate people.

Schizophrenia. Schism, splitting. Split personalities.

One of the defining features of the Work personality is that it pretends that it is sane. And this is its insanity. Outside of work I may be an emotional wreck; I may be angry, I may cry and I may be drunk. At work I am someone else, someone who does not do these things, or even acknowledge that I am someone who does not do these things: The other self is denied, and then the denial is denied, so that nothing ever happened.

And the most bewildering part of it all is this: If you talk to someone about this, they will look at you like you are stupid and act like being schizophrenic is the most normal and obvious thing in the world.

***

What function does schizophrenia serve?

Allegedly, we could not work if we ourselves were there.

I don't believe that this is true. But, supposing it is, What does this say about our work?

These aren't, of course, original ideas or questions. They are questions everyone has, to the point that they are called childish. And that is very revealing: Because what we are actually saying is that they are the questions that everyone asks when they have an objective (i.e., outsider's) view of our society, and that they only cease to be asked when the cognitive dissonance becomes too much to bear.

***

Why do we need to be schizophrenic? Why can't we acknowledge that we are insane?

***

Most of what most of us do is useless.

All of what all of us do is too much.

I remember reading a document from the beginning of the twentieth century. It was an industry captain talking about how new technologies had allowed more a massive increase in efficiency and productivity. Despite this it was essential that no one got the idea that they could, therefore, work less and produce the same amount. They had to work as much and produce more.

Everything is about more.

And we make ourselves insane for it.

And I don't understand why.

***

I was thinking this as I was thinking how the lines between my "work" and "life" aren't and never have been very well placed. I only look for jobs that I like and feel good about and never make very much money. And that there are people who would criticize me for this. But that I rather prefer it that way.

What is it like for people who are businessmen? Or soldiers? Who are different from us?

I already don't understand them, and I don't know if I can.