Just anecdotally, so many folks in my own life note how understaffed their workplaces are. How much they're expected to simply "make do". And when their teams experience attrition, there is no backfilling. The work is simply shuffled around.
And for those fortunate enough to have PTO (that's how you can tell I'm American), they find it difficult to find time on their team's PTO calendar, which often limit what % of an already-small team is permitted to be out at a time.
So for those lucky enough to have jobs right now, many are experiencing growing workloads and a harder time taking the PTO that is a part of their compensation package. But we're also incentivized to deal with the for the job-hugging of it all.
This wouldn't solve all parts of this issue, but Sanders introduced a bill in the Senate recently to decrease the standard 40 hour workweek to 32 hours with no change in pay. His argument is that Americans are hundreds of percent more productive now than decades ago and those dividends should be paid back in time off.
The Fink letter is really something else. What a gaslighting move to offer concern and praise for the days when we invested in public infrastructure! Like, wow, I wonder what happened, Larry. If only we could understand the causes of the inequality....
Also, fascinating about Jessi and I'd divorce Jordan if I were married to him. The strange part is the witnesses situation. Most states don't require witnesses for prenups - they might require independent counsel - and I don't think Utah is a state that requires it. She will probably have to pay support, since it's not clear what he does and if he makes anything. But I am curious what the prenup says!!
Wowowowow. long not super relevant comment incoming
ok this comment is not about your bullet pointed article here, though that was also good. i was curious as to what you had to say about the state of housing in america. so i clicked your link, read you article, and you said all the things that i think - that house values are tied to wealth; that, while we have a shortage, building like we are doesn't necessarily mean that prices would drop; that the way we support housing for tenants ultimately supports the landlord/bank, keeping cost high. i live in the SF Bay area and am v interested in the conversation around housing.
about a decade ago, when Silicon Valley was building more apartments, nearly every apartment built was a luxury unit. and instead of leveling rent prices, it increased them more rapidly. the value of the housing stock went up, because higher end buildings are built. sure, most buildings now have around 20% dedicated to low income, but it seems that that is simply in place so developers/landlords can avoid rent protections. running the numbers, it's more profitable to have a certain number of vacant units at a higher price point than it is to have everything rented at a lower price point. and tenants at a higher price point are often seen as more "desirable." *shudders* all that to say, the simple answer of "more units" is not going to save us.
we need to think beyond "more units" and "affordability" and turn to public good. like having a functioning healthcare system that treats healthcare like a public good so we don't have to have 100s of 1,000s of dollars saved up for end of life care. or i dunno, stop using the idea of "investment" when it comes to housing. or even having places with good infrastructure so that living in an apartment or townhouse is seen as desirable instead of another boring old suburban street with a target 2 miles away. little changes in infrastructure can contribute to a larger cultural change.
anyway, great writing and i'm subscribed now. i have a feeling i we might not be on the same page about everything but i love your clear headedness and that you say the truth.
Here's the thing about plasma centers: At least they pay.
People don't get jack for their blood.
Fun fact (courtesy of GPT):
"Hospitals generally charge more for whole blood or red blood cell (RBC) transfusions than for plasma.
Red Blood Cells: The median hospital charge for one unit of RBCs is approximately $634, with the full transfusion procedure costing a median of $2,388.
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP): The cost is significantly lower. Studies show the hospital acquisition cost for one unit of FFP is around $60.70, with a reported unit cost of $120–$128.67 and an administration cost of $38 per unit.
Therefore, hospitals charge substantially more for blood (specifically red blood cells) than they do for plasma."
The plasma article was interesting. I’ve been donating on and off for 15 years and a lot was similar to what I’ve seen. It started as beer money in college, helping get by working seasonal or low wage jobs, to now helping pay down debts. There’s been a big demographic change over this time. Most people I’ve talked to at the center that aren’t students work close to full time. And the centers cutting costs. Over the years they’ve switched to rubbing alcohol for pre stick cleaning from iodine, use cheaper needles, and now use a height and weight calculation to have donors give more with not much change to payments. Also great to see Kathleen McLaughlin’s book get mentioned. (Go Butte America). She’s done some great writing on class issues in the West.
Don’t knock my baby plasma centers too hard, that’s how we put beer on the table in college. 😅
Also believe me when I say I almost dislocated my eyeballs rolling them so aggressively while reading the essay about hotel points. Give me a break people (it’s me, I was the one making sandwiches at the breakfast buffet)
There’s a really good book called “Blood Money” about the prevalence of plasma centers in the US. We’re one of only like three countries who allow for-profit plasma harvesting. It’s a wild industry!
"Blood plasma centers, which primarily clot in low-income areas..." I see you, girl. *does weird finger tapping/clap thing*
Re: SLOMW, I just cannot watch that show. However, I LOVE hearing intelligent people discussing it. It's my addiction. The LDS church and its members have been an obsession of mine since the blogging days, but I like learning about people living outside the norm, not the ones influencing it.
Argh! The art or artist dilemma... I loved the DFW cruise article! And BTW, still anxiously awaiting the list of the contents of the much-fussed-over literacy box. ; )
"expressed not anger about their circumstances, but embarrassment." This broke my heart.
Just anecdotally, so many folks in my own life note how understaffed their workplaces are. How much they're expected to simply "make do". And when their teams experience attrition, there is no backfilling. The work is simply shuffled around.
And for those fortunate enough to have PTO (that's how you can tell I'm American), they find it difficult to find time on their team's PTO calendar, which often limit what % of an already-small team is permitted to be out at a time.
So for those lucky enough to have jobs right now, many are experiencing growing workloads and a harder time taking the PTO that is a part of their compensation package. But we're also incentivized to deal with the for the job-hugging of it all.
This wouldn't solve all parts of this issue, but Sanders introduced a bill in the Senate recently to decrease the standard 40 hour workweek to 32 hours with no change in pay. His argument is that Americans are hundreds of percent more productive now than decades ago and those dividends should be paid back in time off.
The Fink letter is really something else. What a gaslighting move to offer concern and praise for the days when we invested in public infrastructure! Like, wow, I wonder what happened, Larry. If only we could understand the causes of the inequality....
Also, fascinating about Jessi and I'd divorce Jordan if I were married to him. The strange part is the witnesses situation. Most states don't require witnesses for prenups - they might require independent counsel - and I don't think Utah is a state that requires it. She will probably have to pay support, since it's not clear what he does and if he makes anything. But I am curious what the prenup says!!
Wowowowow. long not super relevant comment incoming
ok this comment is not about your bullet pointed article here, though that was also good. i was curious as to what you had to say about the state of housing in america. so i clicked your link, read you article, and you said all the things that i think - that house values are tied to wealth; that, while we have a shortage, building like we are doesn't necessarily mean that prices would drop; that the way we support housing for tenants ultimately supports the landlord/bank, keeping cost high. i live in the SF Bay area and am v interested in the conversation around housing.
about a decade ago, when Silicon Valley was building more apartments, nearly every apartment built was a luxury unit. and instead of leveling rent prices, it increased them more rapidly. the value of the housing stock went up, because higher end buildings are built. sure, most buildings now have around 20% dedicated to low income, but it seems that that is simply in place so developers/landlords can avoid rent protections. running the numbers, it's more profitable to have a certain number of vacant units at a higher price point than it is to have everything rented at a lower price point. and tenants at a higher price point are often seen as more "desirable." *shudders* all that to say, the simple answer of "more units" is not going to save us.
we need to think beyond "more units" and "affordability" and turn to public good. like having a functioning healthcare system that treats healthcare like a public good so we don't have to have 100s of 1,000s of dollars saved up for end of life care. or i dunno, stop using the idea of "investment" when it comes to housing. or even having places with good infrastructure so that living in an apartment or townhouse is seen as desirable instead of another boring old suburban street with a target 2 miles away. little changes in infrastructure can contribute to a larger cultural change.
anyway, great writing and i'm subscribed now. i have a feeling i we might not be on the same page about everything but i love your clear headedness and that you say the truth.
Here's the thing about plasma centers: At least they pay.
People don't get jack for their blood.
Fun fact (courtesy of GPT):
"Hospitals generally charge more for whole blood or red blood cell (RBC) transfusions than for plasma.
Red Blood Cells: The median hospital charge for one unit of RBCs is approximately $634, with the full transfusion procedure costing a median of $2,388.
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP): The cost is significantly lower. Studies show the hospital acquisition cost for one unit of FFP is around $60.70, with a reported unit cost of $120–$128.67 and an administration cost of $38 per unit.
Therefore, hospitals charge substantially more for blood (specifically red blood cells) than they do for plasma."
i watched the doc ill send you a five minute voice memo and save you 80 min
The plasma article was interesting. I’ve been donating on and off for 15 years and a lot was similar to what I’ve seen. It started as beer money in college, helping get by working seasonal or low wage jobs, to now helping pay down debts. There’s been a big demographic change over this time. Most people I’ve talked to at the center that aren’t students work close to full time. And the centers cutting costs. Over the years they’ve switched to rubbing alcohol for pre stick cleaning from iodine, use cheaper needles, and now use a height and weight calculation to have donors give more with not much change to payments. Also great to see Kathleen McLaughlin’s book get mentioned. (Go Butte America). She’s done some great writing on class issues in the West.
Keep the Celsius! This was so fun and informative to read haha
Don’t knock my baby plasma centers too hard, that’s how we put beer on the table in college. 😅
Also believe me when I say I almost dislocated my eyeballs rolling them so aggressively while reading the essay about hotel points. Give me a break people (it’s me, I was the one making sandwiches at the breakfast buffet)
There’s a really good book called “Blood Money” about the prevalence of plasma centers in the US. We’re one of only like three countries who allow for-profit plasma harvesting. It’s a wild industry!
"Blood plasma centers, which primarily clot in low-income areas..." I see you, girl. *does weird finger tapping/clap thing*
Re: SLOMW, I just cannot watch that show. However, I LOVE hearing intelligent people discussing it. It's my addiction. The LDS church and its members have been an obsession of mine since the blogging days, but I like learning about people living outside the norm, not the ones influencing it.
Argh! The art or artist dilemma... I loved the DFW cruise article! And BTW, still anxiously awaiting the list of the contents of the much-fussed-over literacy box. ; )