Hourly Pay Is Modern Slavery
yegor256.com
yegor256.com
A micromanaged contract where every deliverable is explicitly spelled out seems a lot less "free" than a 9-5 where you have enough autonomy to do what you think needs to be done, should be done, or even would simply be fun to do. A contract you need to put food on the table seems a lot less "free" than a 9-5 you keep because retirement is boring. A contract with harsh deadlines for missing deliverables seems a lot less "free" than a "9-5" that may be quite flexible on exactly when you work, fine with sudden vacations, etc.
Compensation structure - at least of this kind - is client billing minutiae, not the defining line between freedom and slavery.
You are only a slave to your job if you allow it. You don't need a car, a house, or the latest gadgets. These aren't necessities. They are things that you want.
It's also pretty laughable to compare it to actual slavery. You do have freedom. If you have a bad job, you can choose to go elsewhere.
If you don't want someone controlling your schedule/time/vacations/life then you need to start a business and be your own boss.
When living in remote parts you have to have a car, otherwise you won't even be able to get to the workplace in the first place.
>, a house
You don't need a house but you definitely need a roof.
>If you have a bad job, you can choose to go elsewhere.
Not everyone has that choice.
The bus works pretty well. Every city I've ever lived in has a bus system, which is pretty affordable.
"Not everyone has that choice."
Yes, they do. They choose not to leave because it's not the path of least resistance. Going through the interview process, meeting new people, and having to learn a completely new set of tasks is not easy or desirable. I've had to do it plenty of times throughout my life.
The other problem is living within your means. If you have student or credit card debt, don't buy a house or a car until they are both paid off. If you pile on the debt, you will be putting yourself in a position where your employer will have more power over you and you will have less options.
After college, I had to rent a room in a house for 2+ years to pay off all of my debt before I could get the apartment I wanted. I bought no new electronics during this time and I treated myself once/month to some Chinese carryout (Sandwiches and $1 frozen dinners the rest of the time).
Most people don't have the discipline to do this, which is the same discipline that is required to build a successful company.
It's ironic that with so much freedom, many choose to make themselves slaves.
Cities aren't remote parts. They also cost more, which matters if you're already stretching your paycheck. Even within a city, I've had 2 hour (each way!) bus commutes - and that's with a good bus system! You need to be able & willing to relocate, or have a car, or have your job opportunities geographically restricted even further.
>> "Not everyone has that choice."
> Yes, they do. They choose not to leave because it's not the path of least resistance. Going through the interview process, meeting new people, and having to learn a completely new set of tasks is not easy or desirable.
I'm sure if you play devil's advocate hard enough, you'd be able to think of counterexamples. Maybe most people have that choice, but everyone? What you've described is the easiest part for some without financial freedom.
> discipline
+1 and preaching to the choir on this bit, though. Just don't mistake it for being everyone's only real issue.