@quynhxvan: Our obsession with productivity and achievement may actually be religious. So much of our worth is through our work and productivity. But I always find this endless struggle past material wealth or status or recognition from others, but the motivation for everyone is something deeply internal. A sense of proving ourselves, of proving our worth, not just to others or even to ourselves, but to an objective truth (maybe god?) even if we don’t believe that there can be one! As someone who identifies as atheist, I keep finding it so interesting that because I grew up in the western world, so much of my thinking is influenced by Christianity: salvation after suffering, meaning through neutral events (life), and now my obsession with achievement. It’s always thought provoking to explore your inherent beliefs and why you believe them and what you maybe believe instead now. #producitivity #achievement #capitalism #christianity #intellectual
Quynh
Region: US
Tuesday 21 April 2026 19:51:26 GMT
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🥂🍾 :
I READ A SUBSTACK ON THIS!!!
2026-04-21 20:41:34
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conch1 :
what social cues really keep us going?
2026-06-17 23:11:44
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spelden :
I love how you articulate your thoughts
2026-04-24 07:59:22
5
tree_en :
would the removal of anxiety, being anxious about nothing in life, be a better life?
2026-04-22 15:04:36
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growly.sk :
Love your perspective on life 🙏🏻
2026-04-28 17:31:25
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Alexis 🌸 :
Yes!!! Rly needed this take today 🥲 Feeling existential and unfulfilled by the grind lately
2026-06-02 04:22:38
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Samir Al-Alami :
Smart insight
2026-04-22 17:14:54
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🆖🌀🌊 :
This was very insightful. Cảm ơn bạn. 💯🙏🏽
2026-04-22 19:50:04
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Miles🐻 :
Loved this video
2026-04-27 06:06:23
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sincerely_remi :
soc theory 😍
2026-04-22 15:01:59
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senjuti🌀 :
oh wow
2026-04-27 19:05:43
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. :
Perfectly said!
2026-04-21 20:03:55
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Rachel B. 🌼 :
History heals 🥰
2026-04-23 16:06:47
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FernHill :
Amazing! Thank you xx
2026-04-23 01:24:14
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jimmydeaneggwich :
i wrote abt this in my master’s dissertation!! this concept of being financially successful as a signifier for being “blessed,” one of the “elect,” implies that financial success and material gain are also signifiers that you’re a good and moral person. this same logic necessarily means that, on the opposite side, poverty is seen as a moral failing rather than a systemic one. the book she’s referencing here is The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber in case y’all were curious <3
2026-04-23 17:24:36
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M :
Really thought-provoking! Though I’d say it really depends on the religion — mine actually works against that mindset. The focus is on simplicity, volunteering, and genuine community. Purpose and worth aren’t tied to career or achievement at all. The belief is the more good you do, the more blessed you feel — a job is just how you support what actually matters. So some faith traditions are actually the antidote to exactly what you’re describing. 🙂
2026-04-22 07:23:10
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javirambles :
I'm surprised you didn't just plain out say Protestant work ethic. Although, you should be careful with this idea. Max Weber is supposing Calvinism to be the archetype of the origin but the truth is when you say ' religion ' you are not being precise. For example, there are plenty of theologies, Catholicism included, that did and still do disagree with this 'protestant' work ethic. Also the concept of infinity can also be questioned. Kierkegaard famously noted our anxiety is in relation to the infinite but that this was proof of our relation to God.
2026-04-22 12:10:47
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Johanan Morey :
This is such a wrong understanding of Calvinism and Reformed Theology. Yes, one of the pillars of Calvinism, The ‘L’ in TULIP, basically dives into how God has chosen who to save from before time. However there was a clear understanding that earthly success and works COULD NOT SAVE YOU! Works not being able to save you is a PRIMARY focus of Calvinism/Reformed Theology. The way they understood they were saved was by an amalgamation of their response to Christ/Fruits/Desire to run from sin. Work Anxiety is not caused by “Calvinism”
2026-04-21 22:57:38
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AMORRI :
Oh my this is so sad because the whole point of Calvinism is that our work is not enough or could earn us favor in the sight of God. Unconditional election….
2026-05-03 06:04:38
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maria💛🌻 :
@addison
2026-06-17 21:03:25
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HighJac'd :
Capitalism was born from patriarchal religion. I don't know how yet, but I think it's a state of mind or based on who or what has value. I also feel like white supremacy is wrapped up in this somehow.
2026-04-21 20:13:11
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Yu :
I love the way you describe this. Religions structurally seem to be a way to funnel our natural drives and feelings into different avenues which if the ideology you follow has corrupt guardrails you’ll end up corrupt. I think that “anxious” sense to optimize, improve, “work”, prove our worthiness is prebuilt in human nature / social structure and religion abuses/uses that.
2026-04-23 01:17:31
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Dana | sahm :
Thank God the Bible doesn’t support this idea and Jesus Christ isn’t this way 🙏🏼
2026-05-02 12:35:30
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