~ A+A-Ai ~
- Grade on a 'Curve' -
"Would you like to swing on a star ~ Carry moonbeams home in a jar ~ And be better off than you are ~ Or would you rather be a Mule…?" - Bing Crosby circa 50ish -
– CAREER CHOICES –
~ What would you like to be...and WHY? ~
Those working in fields with their degree majors, or even minors, can be a rarity these days. Many are hired just because they have a General-Liberal-Arts diploma, thus displaying a higher learning level. Of late, most large companies prefer to focus at in-house training for their programs. Regardless, there is an ever decreasing need for related career choices, having nothing to do with their 'pre-set-goals'.
At the infant stage, 'Tech' and online services was open wide, now Ai is the norm: Not to mention the highly competitive field of journalism within any venue, certainly. The manufactured inanimate Ai has no heart. It has even infiltrated our original articles; often even comment sections from readers: How does that benefit you? If we are 'Writers' then just write.
My best subject was Philosophy: Kantor~Kant (Immanuel Kant "Practical Reason–Perception may not be Reality"). Dad said, in his always less-than-subtle fashion. "So, Big-Shot, can you make a living by having this degree?" I changed majors after this appraisal. Even honor graduates from highly recognized institutions, at enormous expense, are working far beyond their chosen career-professions.
Hey, maybe I could become a Newbie-Type Boomer ~ Influencer? But, our generation never called it that. We were referred to as Schleppers (Salespeople) Pitchmen or Barkers! There may be a current opening in that noted-diversified field? Same flavor - just different recipes!
Ever notice the 'Meteorologists' aka ~ Gorgeous T.V. Weather Women? Wonder what their degree majors were as their hiring criteria? Ooh, that's just me being cynical; probably the only one that's noticed?
My Good Friend, Joselito, worked for my father's factories in his art Department. He did paste-up (before computer graphics). Such an incredibly gifted-talented painter, with a Master's Degree in Fine Arts, and he finally got a j.o.b. as a Docent at the Getty Museum. Joselito said, "That's the closest I've ever been to earning a living from my passion. And although Docents don't get paid, I also work at Getty as a Security Guard, as long as I'm there anyway." Not a job that gets a lot of compliments! He has a terrific 'tude!
When you're really good working within your chosen career, work is not really work at times. Kind of like if you're a good bowler you enjoy bowling a lot. My Twin, Lucky-Lar, Quote: "I still get-to-work!" - Good for him!
– Not An Anti-Dentite –
After a recent visit at the Dentist's office, this came to mind: Very wonderful-rewarding feeling to belong to a profession alleviating people's pain: Poor guys they don't get to gab much to their patients once "Open Mouth Wide" is announced – but lots of understood sign-language! And, with everyone 'specializing' not a lot of variety in this 'j.o.b.' category; although an essential 'healing-aesthetic' occupation to be proud of. General Dentistry is not so 'General' anymore - not unlike HMO's referrals to specialists are common.
I once dated a PhD - School Psychologist. Oddly, she was the least 'maternal' woman I had ever known. She told me she was in it for the "Easy Money (2) month yearly vacation and the prestige" – We broke up!
My personal pet peeves are, for example: No office without a window. No cubicle, ever. I need fresh air as with my open floor plan home. Brother likes the high-rise ~ not me!
But an odd incongruity. When you walk into his gorgeous penthouse office all 'Professionals' are walking around in huarache sandals~tank tops and shorts; with their dogs following them! This is just so unlike our generation's attire-presentable décor. We wore impeccable suits/ties every day; our uniform of the day: Dressed to present the 'Professionals' that we were.
Haven't noticed the once constant barrage of T.V. commercials with competing Men's clothier ads of late. When home, we wore the 'huaraches'.
"You wouldn't worry so much about what people thought about you...
..... if you realized how little they did!"
What are your 'Peeves?' What are your 'Choices?'
– Can You derive income from it? –
*Simple Observation: Vocal has morphed from StoryTelling into a platform for Political and Ai rants - this saddens me.
Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California
'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -
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Where's the Glory?
In breaking news, rehabilitated Republican Senator Johnnie Johnson (Pronouns: HE, HIM, HIS) called a press conference from the Men’s room of the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, Concourse B, across from the Ignatius Reilly’s Lucky Dog stand. The Senator had just returned from a sexual reorientation rehabilitation program in Memphis, TN after being publically disgraced at a Buckee’s Truckstop restroom soliciting sex from an undercover cop three months ago. He is a founding member of the Reformed Christians for Christ, a conservative, pro-family and ex-gay advocacy group. In the spirit of being reborn, Senator Johnson invited reporters to marvel at his plans for a major remodeling of airport bathrooms.
By Cathy Schieffelin4 days ago in Humor
Comments (46)
Entertaining read… my dentist is an extrovert & asks a million quest when his hands are jammed in my mouth… now I take my daughter in to answer the questions for me!
'I need fresh air as with my open floor plan home. Brother likes the high-rise ~ not me!'- same! Could never have contemplated working (or living) in a big apartment. Did that in London for two years and while it was safe and close to everything, it was far too noisy to be there long-term. "*Simple Observation: Vocal has morphed from StoryTelling into a platform for Political and Ai rants - this saddens me."- this I agree with, and it saddens me too:(
About your question, I’m currently affected by AI. I’m a journalist and professional freelance writer. Never in two decades I’ve been this low and for so long.
Yes, unfortunately, Vocal is morphing. If it doesn’t take drastic measures it will end collapsing like Medium did.
In a word, awesome" There are many languages of love, but in one word - awesome!" 💖 - Napsolive
I have notice the morphing of Vocal articles...not everyone can write,,,but everyone wants to write,,,even AI. Top of the stories as usual. Great to see you.
You've been busy in the TOP STORY category! Congratulations. Love the art and mules, too!
"Same flavor - just different recipes." JAY-JAY!!! If this were Medium, you'd have highlights everywhere! Sooo. Much. TRUTH! Yep, that's it.
The meteorologist's comments struck home - one of my favorite local ones died a year ago. He was just a great communicator and a kind person - an all-around great guy and I was astonished to learn he was not a meteorologist. He learned how to forecast the very difficult PNW weather from a meteorologist. Congratulations on being on the Top Story and making the Leaderboard! 🥳 🥳 🥳
Valid points, Jay. Congratulations on a much deserved Top Story for your outstanding writing.
great art. interesting takes on professional apparel and worrying bout what others think of you. congratulations on leaderboard recognition
Back to say congrats on your greatly deserved Leaderboard placement! ⚡⚡
I love me some windows! One of my big criteria when I bought my house! Thankfully my classroom has some good ones too! Some very insightful observations here! Sorry to say my anti AI piece is probably one that contributed to the influx of rants. But I do hope vocal can still be a place for storytellers!
Hi Jay. I must say I've "lost that loving feeling" for Vocal of late. I can barely make myself read anyone's work let alone submit my own. I can't shake the feeling that with AI lurking about the place, my work is pointless. As for my j.o.b, I started my working life as a photoengraver and wasn't keen to pursue the change to computers. I did it for a while, but meh. I now have my perfect job. I do maintenance across three public schools. It doesn't pay a great deal, but it ticks a lot of my creative boxes. I think I have one more story in me. I have been renovation a 1965 truck into a food truck. I'm nearly finished. Always great to read your stuff Jay
Interesting reflections on changing professional norms and personal preferences. The bit about dentists and sign language made me smile. 🙂
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Yay Jay!!! Back to say congrats on Top Story!! 🎉
jj, A super interesting read as always. Degrees IMHO are just another way to control and make a dime for our governments. They'd be free if they actually gve a shit about their citizens - plenty of extremely smart, talented people who don't have one simply because they can't afford it. The priviledge just keeps on giving. Mine was pretty pointless- learned nothing I couldn't have done alone at home for the joy of it- but I wanted to teach and so it was an expensive necccessity. Meh. Vocal is as it is and they don't care so I'm not going to either - just read my peeps and enjoy the part of the community that are actual people ;) Miss you! CC x
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Awesome piece, Jay! I have an MFA in Creative Writing as well as a certificate for online teaching. I love getting to write and post on Vocal, but I don’t use that certificate very much unfortunately. I had wanted to be an adjunct, but I don’t see that in my near future. I work at a tea room, so my writing degrees do help me create copy for marketing campaigns. Social media marketing is full of AI, though. Meta has its own system to ‘optimize’ copy. Oh, the algorithm 🙃😂
I love it. Comedic cynicism isn't all that common. I smiled wryly throughout this. I'm slightly bitter though, after hearing about your Weather Woman. Here in Indiana, all the meteorologists on TV are old while dudes. I don't know if they have degrees or not, but they are definitely not attractive. Maybe I compromise decent values... but the way I look at it, if the future is going to be fucked up and only employ very few people, I WANT them to pick the gorgeous ones. I need to watch the Weather Channel more often. I usually don't even watch forecasts on TV anymore. I just get it from my phone with A.... um... never mind. I love your observations, many of which had never occurred to me. I only had two years of college before I had to drop out. Sounds like if I'd made it all the way through, all it would have done is increased my debt. It certainly wouldn't have increased my income as a writer. And here as a teenager I thought I was going to be the next Stephen King! 🤣😂 One cynical observation of my own.... It seems to me that stories criticizing Vocal are often deemed Top Stories. (Yours is very much deserved; I'm not implying that). Why does Vocal so often reward authors for criticizing Vocal? Is that their way of alleviating guilt? 🤔🤔🤔 ⚡💙⚡
Very valid points, my friend. And I'm definitely on the same page about having windows in my place of employment. I get claustrophobic without them. I had a friend get a degree in Respiratory Therapy. He lasted maybe 3 months on the Job. Although he loves helping people, he couldn't handle the hospital atmosphere and seeing so many sick people. He went back to bartending. Not sure what he's doing now, though. Great article, J-Bud!
I agree and found myself guilty on an occasion of a political jab in humour form but nevertheless I did Vocal has changed its format or criteria not sure how it just morphed into a quick 300 word article or short story format. But times change it’s what we do with it Congratulations
Well written, congrats 👏
I really enjoyed this. What are my peeves? That is a huge question and if I am honest they change every day. One day I can be infatuated by how the rain drenches the soil and the next I am cursing the bogs. You know? Context I guess... or maybe I am fickle? I had a conversation a while back about appropriate work attire. I was all "wear what you like, each to their own." Well, then there were nipples and I changed to "can we have some empathy for others please." 😆😆 I don't know. This reality of ours is complicated... and now it's gone and grown a virtual dimension. No wonder I don't know what day it is! 😆😆😆