Quarantine Fetishism
In the weeks since the world has shutdown due to Covid19, I’ve realised that nearly every content creator, broadcaster, studio, and media outlet are trying to build material around this new reality. And while some have been welcomed examples like news stations interviewing people via video calls and social media ensuring that as much reliable information get’s presented as possible, some have not been so much. One noticeable example exists in the self-help, motivational realm of the internet.
I enjoy watching these content creators; usually they provide simple, light info-tainment with enough citation for you to parrot later in the month. The usual topics range from building confidence, dating advice, and even practicing self-love, with one common trope being using well known celebrities as examples.
However in recent weeks these channels and creators have thrown caution to the wind and declared that this period in time, where many have been made jobless (or worse, deemed “Essential” and forced to work during a pandemic), are dying, and scared for their loved one, is perfect for becoming “productive”.
Let me clarify; there’s a difference between people working on projects of their own according (or not, if that is their choice) and this kind of talk that is peddled in self-help and motivation channels where productivity is not for one’s self-improvement or enjoyment but for proving your worth. While many experts are debating when or even how to exit this lockdown safely, motivation gurus are predicting how future job interviewers will question “what did you do during the lockdown” or how former employers are unlikely to rehire you if you haven’t gained a new skill (despite likely being put in the same position for the same pay).
This vocation paranoia is speared on by calls from talking heads to reopen businesses. These same people are the one’s finding that their investments and profits are down because you’re not working, yet in the same breath would tell you you’re not worth paying more or that you’re disposable.
This kind of mindset comes from a sickeningly meritocratic worldview that blanks on the fact that access to information, time, resources, educational material, and supplies is still out of grasp for many people, especially those recently unemployed, fearful for the future, and those who are still working and feel as though they are taking their lives into their hands while everyone else, as it looks to them, takes it easy. The same groups who have always been marginalized in society, the poor, the disabled, the under-educated, care-givers, are not in positions to easily focus on self-improvement and learning a new skill. It’s the rebranded 2020 version of The Secret where on the surface it seems like an uplifting message, but once you dig a little deeper you realise it’s a possibility for maybe a fraction of people who hear it, let alone proving to be beneficial to fewer or appreciated in the job market that is projected to go through a recession by these same gurus.
Now yes, for many people, maybe this is the first time in their life they’ve realised how much they’ve let work and obligations get in the way. For many, the boredom and isolation is exactly what they need to start writing, drawing, composing, coding, or creating anything. Again that self-motivation, creation for the sake of it, is perfectly valid. I myself finished two scripts for submissions. I have more time to work on Blender models. But it’s twisted and disturbing to celebrate this time as some sort of window of opportunity to prove yourself to your next employer or to brag online and look down on others, especially when it’s becoming clear that many of us are not living through the same lockdown as others.
For many, this is scary. They’ve never lived through anything like this; a disease that has spread across the world in a matter of months, that can infect you for two weeks before showing symptoms (if the infected isn’t asymptomatic), and is the reason why millions are out of work, why thousands are dead, and why billions have been lost from economies that are already decrying recession.
I can’t say how long this’ll last or how things will return to normal (if they do). Focusing on yourself and your loved ones is the most important thing. But after that, after you wash your hands, stay in as much as possible, help those who need it, and only make needed trips as rarely as you can, the most important thing is to occupy yourself but for your own sake, not for someone else. Create and learn because you want to, not because it’ll look good on your CV. Or don’t; another perfectly okay thing to do is to watch movies and shows, play video games, lie in bed, meditate, or just do nothing if you’re comfortable with that.
The important thing is you do what you want without worry or fear that you’re being measured against others. Those people who will sneer at you during this time unfortunately were here before all this and sadly they’ll be here afterwards. But you don’t owe them anything. You owe yourself what you need to do to get through this, to use your time how is best for you. Your boss isn’t spending their time working on being better for you. You’re allowed to view this pandemic as anything other than an “opportunity” or something positive. You’re allowed to be as productive or as unproductive as you want. This isn’t your summer holidays or your gap year where the aim is to cram in as much as possible before you have to return to the real world; this is part of your life. Live it how you wish. Be safe.
