General Discussion

IronLionZion

(45,460 posts) Sun Jan 1, 2023, 09:54 PM Jan 2023

Down on 2023? We get it. But here are some things that might improve.

Seven writers and thinkers have some optimism about parenting, equality, careers, salaries, the opioid crisis — and even the size of airplane seats

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/01/01/reasons-for-optimism-2023/
gift link: https://wapo.st/3Z1au51

The relationship economy will thrive
By Anne-Marie Slaughter | The year 2023 will see the continued growth of the relationship economy: interesting, decently-paid jobs for coaches, navigators, guides, advisers, mentors, teachers and therapists of every description. These jobs use data and different technologies to ensure that the guidance offered is tailored and effective, but they depend almost entirely on the quality of connection between two human beings. They are thus hard to automate; on the contrary, they increasingly require certifications of various types that support salaries well above minimum wages. (According to salary.com, the average wage for a health and wellness coach in the United States is $62,847.)

Opioid deaths could start going down
By Courtland Milloy | Researchers at Harvard and MIT have built a systems model that predicts that the U.S. opioid crisis might soon peak, perhaps as early as 2023, and abate by 2030. There were, however, two scenarios: one they called “optimistic,” and the other “pessimistic.” I would like to take the optimistic view, in which nearly 300,000 lives would be saved over the next seven years.

Pay transparency is catching on
By Michelle Singletary | More than 20 years ago, a co-worker cornered me in the newsroom and whispered what she was earning on an annual basis. She waited for me to do the same. It was an uncomfortable second or two before I said: “I can’t share such information. So sorry.” I was down for the cause for pay equity, but in that moment, I failed the movement. I had been fully indoctrinated in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” conspiracy of salary silence by corporate America. I regret my part in the secrecy that too often perpetuates discriminatory wage disparities.

Airline seats could gain some space
By Andrea Sachs | Soon airplane seats will take their rightful place alongside other items that we painfully squeezed our bodies into and then ditched, such as corsets and skinny jeans — a relic of travel past. On Nov. 1, the Federal Aviation Administration concluded a 90-day public comment period concerning the safety of “minimum seat dimensions.” More than 26,000 commenters fumed about being squished. “This is both a safety issue and a dignity and quality of life issue,” a contributor named Epiphany wrote. The FAA said it will review all remarks, though it has not set a timeline. But the year is young.

I copied the first paragraph of these sections. There are other sections for Black women, Latinos, and Moms. Click the free gift link to read all about it.

Pay transparency is important for workers. Hiding your salary from your coworkers is about as helpful as blaming foreigners for stealing your job. It helps your wealthy employer not you. You might not believe that foreign looking contractors are paid more than the employees they replace even if you saw their W2s. They have tremendous expenses for frequent relocation that Americans are not comfortable with. Knowledge is power for workers. Hiding that knowledge is power for wealthy "job creators" who have no intention of trickling it down to the rest of us. Sites like Glassdoor.com can help.

There are some that I'd like to add. This is a good year to accept the possibility that nonwhites might be from America, and whites might be from other countries. Immigration has been global in nature for centuries. If an H1B has an American accent and votes in American elections, they're probably not an H1B.

If a person claiming to have US government security clearances is speaking in a thick Russian accent, don't just assume it's alright since they're white. America has changed a lot. Americans have changed a lot. The whole world has changed a lot.

You can't tell who is American by looking at their skin color. So when a minority tells you where in the US we are from, don't push the issue with "where are you really from". I'm from the United States, born and raised. I'm Indian, but not from anywhere other than where I was born and raised. I'm still a US citizen. Idiots have told me I can't get security clearances I already have. Idiots have argued in favor of continued racial profiling at airports instead of screening for weapons. As if my brown skin is going to hurt anyone despite my TSA pre-check and global entry.