Laziness Does Not Exist

In this chapter, Price discusses the pressure to conform in society and in the workplace. He begins by analyzing the TV show Mad Men, which depicts female characters like Peggy and Dawn having to suppress their authentic selves to succeed in a white male-dominated environment. Price connects this to his own family’s history, describing how his Melungeon relatives from Tennessee hid their mixed-race background and Appalachian traits to assimilate into middle-class, white society in Northeast Ohio.

Price argues that the Laziness Lie perpetuates conformity by rewarding those who adopt a “white” presentation and work ethic. He shares the story of Kaitlyn, the founder of the organization Wild Mind Collective, which helps gifted BIPOC students; previously, she worked for a nonprofit that “trained Black youth to be endlessly polite and uncomplaining” in professional settings (185). He emphasizes how these practices of conformity ultimately reinforce oppression and erase individual identity.

Price then delves into body image issues, discussing the pervasive influence of the diet industry. He cites statistics showing the industry’s massive profitability and growth, despite the fact that around 95% of weight loss attempts fail in the long-term. He shares his personal struggle with an eating disorder, linking it to his fear of being perceived as lazy if he gained weight. He describes how embracing fat positivity, including following diverse body-positive social media accounts, helped him overcome his disorder and develop a healthier relationship with his body.

The chapter addresses the societal pressure to maintain a perfect lifestyle, particularly on social media. Price discusses the concept of “keeping up with the Joneses,” tracing its origins to a 1913 comic strip and explaining how it has evolved in the digital age (192). He cites the example of Essena O’Neill, a former Instagram influencer, who revealed the deceptive practices behind her seemingly perfect posts. Price presents research showing how exposure to idealized social media images negatively impacts self-esteem and mental health, especially among teens and young adults.

Price then says that many people feel guilty about not doing enough to address global issues like climate change and social injustice. He advises setting realistic goals for activism based on compassion rather than guilt or fear. He includes insights from mental health professionals, including Xochitl Sandoval, who emphasizes the importance of grieving problems that cannot be fully solved, such as the irreversible climate damage that has already occurred.

The chapter concludes with advice on making activism sustainable by focusing on small, concrete actions, rather than trying to solve overwhelming global problems alone. Price suggests asking questions to gauge the sustainability of activist commitments and to set reasonable limits. He encourages individuals to find joy and celebrate personal milestones amidst their efforts to improve the world.

Price’s conclusion to Laziness Does Not Exist focuses on dismantling the concept of laziness and promoting compassion as an antidote to societal judgments about productivity. He reflects on the common perception “that homeless people are lazy and don’t deserve generosity” (205), which he argues is a misguided attempt to justify ignoring their suffering. This tendency to blame people for causing their own pain provides individuals with a twisted form of comfort, allowing them to close their hearts to others’ suffering. By viewing themselves through a similar lens, they drive themselves to work excessively hard and blame themselves for their exhaustion.

Price posits that the fear of becoming unhoused transforms into a fear of working insufficiently, leading to a cycle of overwork and harsh judgment of others. This mindset, he argues, extends far beyond the workplace, affecting views on relationships, parenting, body image, and even voting rights. He emphasizes that the core issue lies in people equating their worth with their productivity level. This is a belief that dooms individuals to a life of insecurity and judgment.

To combat this pervasive mindset, Price advocates developing boundless compassion. He says that if individuals can accept their own need for rest and imperfection, they should extend the same understanding to others, regardless of their circumstances. This includes extending compassion to those who are unhoused, depressed, and addicted to drugs. Price acknowledges that unlearning these ingrained judgments is challenging and likely a lifelong process, sharing his own struggles with impatience and judgmental thoughts.

Price then outlines several strategies to counteract the Laziness Lie. First, he encourages practicing compassionate curiosity. Instead of dismissing someone as lazy, Price suggests trying to understand the reasons behind their behavior by asking questions about their needs, challenges, and circumstances. He provides examples from his own experience as an educator, where this approach has led to meaningful connections and problem-solving opportunities with students.

Price also emphasizes the importance of considering broader contexts when evaluating behavior. He urges readers to recognize that external factors, including systemic issues like racism and classism, can significantly impact a person’s actions or inactions. This approach, he argues, helps in seeing people as complex individuals rather than hollow stereotypes.

Price strongly advocates for dissociating productivity from moral value. He challenges the assumption that being busy or productive is inherently virtuous, pointing out that this mindset can lead to harmful consequences, such as justifying abusive work environments or environmentally damaging practices. Price uses the example of an incorrect quote misattributed to Irish statesman Edmund Burke, which states, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” (210). He uses this as a concrete example of how the Laziness Lie manifests in popular discourse. Price argues that this inaccurate quote, despite its positive intentions, inadvertently reinforces the harmful idea that any action is better than inaction.

Price says that people will need to become comfortable with being less productive than society expects. He emphasizes that self-care and setting boundaries are valuable in themselves, not just as a means to increase productivity. He uses the example of his pet chinchilla to illustrate the concept of inherent worth regardless of productivity, reflecting on how the animal’s value isn’t tied to its actions; he says that people should view themselves and others in a similar light. Price encourages individuals to practice ongoing self-compassion and gentleness, accepting that change is non-linear, and imperfection is normal. His final message reinforces that all individuals are worthy and acceptable as they are, regardless of their productivity levels, emphasizing that this realization can bring a sense of peace and self-acceptance.