First off, I would like everybody to know that the next chapter in the career series, entitled "KNOWERS," will be out very soon. It explores the rare, enviable group of individuals that somehow discover their professional purpose early in life... and pursue with reckless abandon.
Secondly, please note that JAMLAB has a new web address (http://www.jamlaboratory.com) so I invite you to use this new domain to follow us now. (The old address still works as well).
You may also have heard that JAMLAB has inspired a new venture - Lime Design Collective (limedesignco.com). Please visit us when you have a free moment and review some of our design and furniture work. We're currently developing a scalable, prototype table and other custom pieces for 2 separate clients.
Lastly, Lime Design has decided to recycle some of the byproducts produced from our various projects into a collection of artwork. The first series has just been completed and will soon be available for purchase on our online store. Some pieces from the collection are featured below.
You may recall (or might be awaiting) “undeclared” as a temporary major in college. As a floundering 19 year-old kid, I claimed this title as long as possible. I wanted to declare a major with certainty and commitment, but since “they” didn’t demand a choice until junior year… I waited. Besides, drinking beer and making late night runs to 7-11 for stale nachos smothered in pump-action, artificial cheese was high priority... much more important than choosing the subject I would focus on during my undergraduate years and ultimately in a career.
In the movie Greenburg, Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) and his friend Ivan (Rhys Ifans) reminisce about their prior rock band days. Evidently, Greenburg’s abrasive personality and idealism killed a record deal for the band back in the day and the unresolved conflict remains palpable. Ivan reminds Greenburg of that depressing quote, “Youth is wasted on the young,” to which he replies, “I’d go further. I’d go… life is wasted on… people.” Harshly spoken, but a common attitude coming from a person so disengaged from his true purpose.
When Beth (Jennifer Jason Leigh) asks if he's still involved in music, the morose and quintessentially “undeclared” Greenberg, approaching 40, asserts “I'm really trying to do nothing, for awhile.” He's a cynical reminder of the universal struggle to find meaning in our work and the angst caused by doing something disingenuous. His bitterness eventually boils over, contaminating every interaction and personal relationship in his life, but hold on... I won't spoil the hopeful conclusion.
TOO MANY CHOICES…
In a recent animated video by theRSA.org (RSA Animate-Choice), Professor Renata Salecl explores the paralyzing anxiety surrounding limitless choice, which, in her opinion, emerges for several reasons. 1) We are compelled to choose what other people are choosing because of our need to be regarded by others. 2) We try to make an ideal choice, whether it’s a relationship or picking a phone carrier, often resulting in disappointment. 3) Choice always involves a loss; so when you choose one direction in life, you loose the possibility of another.
Salecl is clearly not suggesting that the option of individual choice be eliminated even if it would make selecting a toothpaste that much easier. She simply wants to illuminate the sociological complexity of making decisions in a modern capitalist society, especially in regards to our professional lives. Too often we hear people say that they don't like what they do or don't really know what they're "good" at. You're considered lucky if you discover something you don't hate. Some actually find decent jobs with benefits or a small pension, but the fear of starting over or loosing what they already have smothers any pursuit of alternate career possibilities, particularly those along the more unconventional path. Thus, many of us end up on the "Greenberg Spectrum," trapped, overwhelmed and underutilized.
In addition, our culture has pushed the idea of self-made success, celebrity worship, and the "American Dream" to the absolute extreme, so much that any lack of professional prosperity is typically attributed to personal failure or not trying hard enough. Feelings of self-doubt seep in telling us we don't have enough talent, enough education, enough resources, enough... whatever. Rather than inspiring social change or inciting an appropriate critique on society, the condemnation turns inward on ourselves.
WORK LONGER... GET MORE
With capitalism requiring continuous growth, there is a tendency for people to work more and constantly keep consuming. Remember that anti-drug commercial from the 90’s with the guy walking in circles repeating, “I do coke, so I can work longer, so I can earn more, so I can do more coke, so I can work longer…“ over and over? This situation, minus the coke, describes many individuals current employment scenario. Our work force is exhausted. A recent statistic stated the average vacation time taken by U.S. workers as 9 days per year. That’s just nuts.
FEAR & CONSUMPTION
During an interview in Michael Moore’s documentary Bowling for Columbine, Marilyn Manson commented on why people targeted him as a likely influence for the mass murders committed at Columbine high school in 1999. He, like Professor Salecl, highlights mainstream media's emphasis on acceptance of others and manipulation of fear as probable explanations. “You’re being pumped full of fear… If you have bad breath, they’re not going to talk to you. If you got pimples, the girl’s not going to fuck you… it’s a campaign of fear and consumption and that’s what I think that it’s all based on… Keep everyone afraid and they’ll consume.”
So… how does all this play out in our professional pursuits? Like Greenberg, many of us remain “undeclared” indefinitely, pacified with the status quo… totally stressed out... blaming ourselves because we haven’t worked hard enough or amassed the proper combination of possessions. Resistance to making creative career changes thus makes perfect sense, right? But... it just shouldn't be this way.
“Undeclared” is certainly understandable for a few years in college, but when it becomes a permanent state of mind, it's time for a JAMLAB reawakening. Yes, the cultural milieu might favor greed and self-aggrandizement while continuing to distract us with the pressure to “have” more, but… don’t fall for it! Acknowledge it, but don't settle for it. In fact, here's what I want you to do. Write “FEAR” and “SELF-DOUBT” on a piece of paper in big bold letters. Then... burn it, shred it, bury it, strangle it, drown it… just get rid of it. Like this:
Otherwise... "it" will consume you. Another decade will pass, and you’ll be 40, then 50, and suddenly, you’ll be chatting with Greenberg about how you’re still "trying to do nothing right now." Please don’t let that happen. The road less traveled can be a lonely place, especially if it keeps leading nowhere, so remember, it’s never too late to switch majors, as long as you “DECLARE” what it is you’re doing.
