Monthly Archives: July 2009

Dr. Tom Picks “Office Space”

office_space-posterTime for another review of one of my favorite movies with a message.  This one is particularly relevant given the way the capitalist economy is exploiting workers.  It sure does not seem fair that many workers are baring the brunt of the financial meltdown caused by corporate executives.  Millions stuck in a dead-end and depressing job day-dreams about ways to rip off the corporation.  The movie “Office Space” came out a decade ago and contains inspiration and information to help the alienated workers take back control of their lives and redistribute the wealth.

This wonderful film validates and popularizes key lessons from social science research about work and happiness.  Enforced conformity to meaningless rules and bureaucratic processes breeds alienation – leading to lack of commitment and creativity.  Themes in this movie tie directly back to the writings of  Karl Marx (as I explained in an earlier article.)  This is a very subversive and superb movie that encourages the proletariat to smash their machine and take back control over the means of production.  This radical and revolutionary message is clearly why this movie received an “R” rating.  There is no nudity or violence (except toward technology).  Also the language is very mild.   So clearly this movie is so threatening because it hopefully will make kids hip to the BS involved with most of the jobs in the capitalist system.

Enjoyment and Enlightenment can and will be ours!

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Categories: Economy, Visionaries | Tags: , , | 5 Comments

Hippest Communities Create the Happiest Citizens

Carrboro, NC 7-4-9

Carrboro, NC July 4, 09

We are all influenced by the people and places where we live. In particular, research shows that the communities we live in shape our ability to pursue and attain real happiness.  My own professional interests have always included a focus on community development and creativity.   After living and traveling to some great places, I am able to identify and describe some real differences that can only be found by experiencing life in different communities.  I hope this will help you gain insights into what are the best and worst places for you to live.

This article represents a renewed emphasis and focus for The HipHappy Times.  From now on, most of my writing will be focused on how to get and stay happy.  I will focus on the role of social institutions on quality of life for individuals and communities.  I hope you enjoy and learn.  My first is a tribute to my relatively new (two years) hometown of Carrboro, NC. Learn about what makes a community cool and creative by reading my entertaining and educational Powerpoint presentation about why as Jim Morrison said  “The West is the Best – Get Here and We will do the Rest.”

Click on this link to view a PDF Version of  a presentation I have shared with community leaders entitled:  C2HC2 (Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Chatham County) as the Creative Corner of the Research Triangle Park.l

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Categories: Happiness | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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