The 7 days myth - but why?

[Ciel_Rouge]

Well, we got so used to the 7-day week that it is no longer commonly perceived as a Christian invention. Still, as most inventions it must have had a purpose. But let's focus on the effects first.

After slaving with little sleep for the first five days, the time arrives to "have some fun, do something interesting". But do really do that? We usually fall into a repetitive routine of clubbing, sex and alcohol followed by hangovers and paralysis towards Sunday. We do not have time to think, to be really creative, to start doing something new and enjoyable. Our lives become very repertitive, it is like living the SAME 7 days over and over again...

[Kayenneh]

At my last workplace we had what was called 'ergonomic work hours', which basically meant that we would have e.g. three days of work, one off. This of course meant that you had your days off not only during the weekends, so no clubbing then.
I don't think it matters much though if we have seven days a week, or less or more. People will always fall into certain patterns and it is up to oneself to break the mold, if one wants to. Some are happy living in the hamster wheel, some aren't and will most certainly do something about it.

[Godscreated]

Well, we got so used to the 7-day week that it is no longer commonly perceived as a Christian invention. Still, as most inventions it must have had a purpose. But let's focus on the effects first.

After slaving with little sleep for the first five days, the time arrives to "have some fun, do something interesting". But do really do that? We usually fall into a repetitive routine of clubbing, sex and alcohol followed by hangovers and paralysis towards Sunday. We do not have time to think, to be really creative, to start doing something new and enjoyable. Our lives become very repertitive, it is like living the SAME 7 days over and over again...

You seem to be a very sad person, just sayin'.

[pgrimes15]

Well, we got so used to the 7-day week that it is no longer commonly perceived as a Christian invention. Still, as most inventions it must have had a purpose. But let's focus on the effects first.

After slaving with little sleep for the first five days, the time arrives to "have some fun, do something interesting". But do really do that? We usually fall into a repetitive routine of clubbing, sex and alcohol followed by hangovers and paralysis towards Sunday. We do not have time to think, to be really creative, to start doing something new and enjoyable. Our lives become very repertitive, it is like living the SAME 7 days over and over again...

I have always done shift work (TV industry) so for ever day I work I have a day off but have to sometimes work weekends and evenings. Free from the shackles of the 7 day week. Go shopping when no-one else is. Go to the cinema on a weekday afternoon. No "Sunday evening" feeling that the working week is just around the corner and next weekend is an eternity away. Brilliant ! also get paid a little more.

Regards

Grimesy

[Gambit]

I'm a freelance writer. I broke out of the '7 day week' grind and took a chance on being self-employed. Sometimes I can't pay the bills and it sucks, but otherwise it is the best decision I have ever made. Today I am going to play some PS3 and write a few articles for my blogs. If I'm feeling really productive, maybe I'll write some of my client articles too. Then again, that plan could change on a whim and I could end up going to the zoo. Who knows.

[The Grand Nudger]

Clubbing, sex, and alcohol ad infinitum -sign me up (sans clubbing)! I don't see the problem. You telling me you don't have time to think about sex, or get creative in bed. "Fucking work of art" springs to mind (and takes on a much more interesting meaning all of a sudden).

[Angrboda]

I can't remember the last time I had a hangover. Nor went clubbing. But then, I'm basically retired. I drink when I want. And my primary activities are book clubs and discussion groups. The 7 day week is not a problem for me.


Though it occurs to me that the problems you discuss, hangovers, dull and repetitious rituals, and so forth, won't be alleviated by changing the number of days in the week. You'll still be expected to work as much, and if the weeks are made longer, your weekend excesses will only be more problematic, and your midweek doldrums intensified. What are you hoping for, 3 days on, 2 days off? Dream on.

(You should read some of the employment rules from the 18th and 19th centuries. You think you've got it rough.)

[Napoléon]

You seem to be a very sad person, just sayin'.

Oh, the irony of a southern baptist uttering those words.

[Ciel_Rouge]

You seem to be a very sad person, just sayin'.

Oh, the irony of a southern baptist uttering those words.

Haha, thanks Napoleon, I am glad not to be the only one to see the irony of a Christian saying something like that. To them everyone opposing such inventions like repetitive grind-and-paralysis weeks is a gruesome individual ;-) Quite interestingly, the Christians themselves often appear to be quite gruesome in their fanaticism of self-torture covered up by pretending that their "happy" this way, with this most hilarious and yet somewhat abominal fake smiling and artificial voice tones on their bloody Sundays ;-)

I am not suggesting a different length for the week, just abandoning it altogether. Instead of thinking about the weekend when working and thinking about the dreaded Monday when trying to have some fun, in a week-free world one can work or have fun any time which has already been tested by freelancers. The weekly routine has profound psychological effects and causes people to hate their work and do it worse than they could because all they can focus on is the stupid weekend. Of course this is a somewhat simplified way to put it, but the opposite has obviously been tested by freelancers and the fact is they tend to actually be more productive with their work and less stagnant with their entertainment habits.