Gregg Reading Response

To me this article is about the daily grind that so many Americans experience. It shows the state of our economy as one that favors productivity, rather than happiness or contentment during work. The article to me seemed mostly negative, highlighting our low standards for giving comfort at work. Gregg used the Six Feet Under example to illustrate that even the media and television shows we consume have turned into a depiction of the negatives of office life. I feel this article connects back to our class because it shows that presently, people are less able to do what makes them happy for a living. Instead, they are forced to participate in lowly jobs that end in tiredness and mental health problems, with small contributions to the economy. I also feel this article connects back to our economy being based off of the social aspects of day-to-day life. It also shows that the rhetoric in our emails has become a part of the economy. The subtle rhetoric sent through email is now significantly influencing the workplace. Gregg specifically focused on passive-aggressive messages; to me, these types of messages are hazardous to workplace health, as they convey unintended negativity. To me, this article shows that in our economy, there is more polite but untrustworthy behavior and a tendency towards doing what’s end’s meat rather than what ends with happiness.