This sub might be interested this, it is a plan to fight back against two of the worst, most exploitive organizations in the world, Woolworths and Coles, known in Australia as 'Colesworth' due to the way they collude to cut out any competition so they can both exploit everyone, customers, farmers, suppliers, transport and employees.

Why We Desperately Need a ‘Code of Food’

The global food system is emblematic of the broader issues stemming from concentrated power and wealth. In Australia, two supermarket giants dominate over 70% of the food supply chain, ruthlessly exploiting farmers, workers, and consumers alike. This duopoly, colloquially referred to as "Colesworth," leaves no real alternatives for suppliers or buyers, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and inequity. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated problem but a reflection of a global trend: most governments are gradually devolving into oligarchies, influenced and corrupted by the immense power of the wealthiest minority.

As the divide between those who benefit and those who are oppressed widens, the likelihood of meaningful reform diminishes. The entrenched power structures have no incentive to disrupt a system from which they profit immensely. Without systemic change, these dynamics will continue to oppress people, stifle social innovation, and exacerbate inequality.

Historically, before societies approached the levels of inequality and imbalance we see today, change was always achieved by war or violent revolution. These upheavals arose because those in power refuse to cede even partial control voluntarily. The wealthy and powerful consistently act to protect and increase their dominance, at the expense of broader societal wellbeing until it reaches a breaking point.

Today, many are beginning to suggest that revolution may once again be necessary. However, the oligarchies of the modern era wield tools of control far more sophisticated, pervasive, and overwhelming than ever before. Advanced surveillance and weapon systems, algorithmic manipulation, globalized financial structures, and near-total control over media and information make traditional revolutionary efforts utterly futile.

In our current era, any attempt at violent or even merely disruptive change would not only fail but would provide justification for even greater repression. The consequence would be a deeper entrenchment of the very tools of oppression that a revolution sought to dismantle.

Protests, general strikes and certainly any form of violence will not only be futile but will serve to further entrench systems of control.

The Solution Is Simpler Than We Ever Imagined.

The stark reality is that far fewer than 1% of people truly benefit from the current societal structure, and any alternative would bring immense benefits to over 99%.

This realization leads to the million-dollar question: Why don’t the 99% simply transition to a system that works better for them?

The answer lies in human nature and the inertia of the status quo. People are naturally resistant to change, especially when it involves new, revolutionary or disruptive ideas that challenge deeply ingrained systems and beliefs. The mere fact that nobody has done it before blinds people to even the thought of alternatives. Most people find comfort in familiarity, even when the existing system exploits and oppresses them. It feels safer to stick with what we know than to venture into the unknown, even when the potential rewards of change are enormous.

This collective hesitancy perpetuates the very structures that harm the majority. By clinging to the status quo, we unconsciously support the mechanisms that concentrate power and wealth in the hands of the few. The real challenge isn’t designing a better system—it’s motivating people to believe it is possible, embrace it, and act together to make change happen.

A Code of Food: A Pathway to a Better Future

A Code of Food offers a transformative solution to the deep systemic imbalances in the global food supply chain. By establishing a member-driven organization that empowers food producers, workers, and consumers, it has the potential to bypass exploitative intermediaries and prioritize fairness, transparency, and sustainability for the most essential of all commodities - food. Inspired by Pinduoduo’s remarkable success in revolutionizing China’s previously exploitive agricultural markets, a Code of Food would unite all stakeholders in a shared mission: decentralizing power and ensuring that food production and distribution serve the interests of everyone, particularly those most exploited or marginalized by the current system.

Beyond food, a Code of Food serves as a prototype for other Codes, each aimed at restructuring different sectors of society to benefit the vast majority. This step-by-step approach could address the entrenched inequalities perpetuated by concentrated power and wealth.

Australia, followed closely by the U.S., represents an ideal starting point for a Code of Food. The overwhelming exploitation by Colesworth, coupled with the near-universal disdain for their practices, creates a perfect storm for disruption. With the right vision and collective effort, a Code of Food would be the template for a fairer and more inclusive future.

What is a Code of Food Exactly?

A Code of Food is an open, transparent digital marketplace inspired by the rampant success of Pinduoduo in China. Its purpose is to transform the food supply chain by prioritizing fairness, accessibility, and collaboration. The Code has three core objectives:

1. Empowering Farmers: Farmers gain the ability to set fair prices for their produce and reach customers directly, eliminating reliance on exploitative intermediaries.
2. Enabling Consumers: Consumers can access high-quality, fresh produce directly from farmers at lower costs, fostering trust and choice.
3. Creating a Gig Economy: A flexible and lucrative gig economy is established to handle supply chain logistics, including transportation and delivery, providing income opportunities to many.

The key to a Code of Food’s success lies in transparency. Farmers’ prices are clearly displayed, transportation costs are separated with multiple options, and the quality of produce and logistics is openly rated and known to buyers. This ensures all participants—farmers, consumers, and logistics providers—can make informed decisions, fostering trust and accountability throughout the system. There is nothing new in this architecture, the transparent digital marketplace was demonstrated by Pindoudou, e*Trade, e-bay and Alibaba and rating based gig economies have already been perfected by platforms like Uber, Airbnb, and Fiverr.

The innovation of a Code of Food is not in the technology or operating model but in how it integrates these proven systems into a purpose-driven economic model that serves its members rather than external shareholders or corporate interests.

By leveraging these principles, a Code of Food has the potential to decentralize power in the food supply chain and create a system that benefits everyone involved.

How is a Code of Food Special?

A Code of Food is not just another cooperative or online marketplace. What sets it apart is its ability to create a parallel micro-economy, a self-contained economic ecosystem purely dedicated to the fair and sustainable supply of food.

Unlike traditional systems:

1. Purpose-Driven Economy: The Code of Food operates independently of national and global economies. Its design, and the unique concept we call Merit prioritizes fairness, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring its economy serves the needs of members rather than external profit motives or market forces.
2. Exclusive Membership: The benefits of the Code’s economy—such as fair pricing, high-quality produce, and access to logistics opportunities—are accessible only to its members. This creates a closed-loop non-cash payment system where value generated stays within the community for mutual benefit.
3. Empowering the 99%: By creating an economy focused on fairness and collective welfare, a Code of Food provides a template for rebalancing power and wealth in society. It proves that the 99% can build systems that operate outside of government, corporate and other exploitative structures, offering an alternative to traditional institutions that often serve the few at the expense of the many.

In essence, a Code of Food isn’t just about fixing food supply chains—it’s a blueprint for creating independent, purpose-driven systems that empower society.

The Heart of a Code of Food: Merit

At the core of a Code of Food is something we call “Merit”, a completely new concept that blends elements of currency, shares, voting rights, and contribution tracking into a single, transparent unit of value. Unlike traditional money, shares or cryptocurrency which are controlled and manipulated by external influence, Merit is entirely governed and valued democratically by the members of the Code and exists solely within the Code of Food’s ecosystem.

How Merit Works:

1. Earned or Bought – Members can gain Merit by contributing to the Code’s mission—through production, purchasing, logistics, technology, or community efforts—or by purchasing it to support the system.
2. Holds Value – Merit can be exchanged within the Code for Food (obviously) but also other goods, services from members, or held to enable influence over decision-making.
3. Tracks Contribution – Like a public ledger, Merit transparently records each member’s contributions, ensuring recognition and fairness.
4. Democratic Power – The more Merit a member earns or holds, the greater their influence in shaping the Code’s policies and direction.
5. Reflects the Value of the Code – Like a share or bond, Merit is a reflection of the popularity, utility and therefore value of the Code of Food.  As the Code grows the members may decide to increase the value of Merit.

Why Merit is Revolutionary?

Merit transforms the way value is created and distributed by shifting power away from financial institutions and corporations and placing it directly into the hands of those who contribute. Unlike traditional corporate structures where wealth and influence are determined by capital alone, Merit balances earning, purchasing, and participation, ensuring that members who actively support the Code’s mission—whether through labour, trade, or investment—are the ones who benefit.

This creates a self-reinforcing, member-driven economy where farmers, workers, and consumers collaborate as equals, rather than being controlled by exploitative middlemen. By existing outside of traditional financial systems, Merit provides a fair, transparent, and resilient alternative, making it possible to build a food supply chain that serves people and purpose.  Within a Code no concept of profit needs to exist.

Merit Creates and Multiplies Its Own Value

This is one of the hardest concepts for people to grasp because it challenges common misconceptions about money, value, and how they are created. The truth is, all value is based on collective belief—governments, corporations, and financial institutions create and manipulate value all the time, but they do so in ways that primarily benefit the wealthy and maintain existing power structures.

If a group of people—such as the members of a Code of Food—agree that Merit has value, then within that group, it does. This is no different from how traditional value systems work:

• Currencies only have value because the people of a country collectively agree they do.
• Shares in a company only have value because traders agree to buy and sell them at certain prices.
• Cryptocurrencies hold value because those who own them believe in their worth.

All economic systems are built on belief and trust—if that trust collapses, so does the value. The massive concentration of wealth in today’s world is a direct result of how society has been manipulated over time to favour the wealthy by controlling and structuring these value systems. Society and Finance cannot be reformed, but it does not have to be the only system.

Merit drives an alternative economy built around the most fundamental human right, Food, it is designed and controlled by and for its members, rather than the elite.

By choosing to assign value to Merit, members of a Code create a self-sustaining system where value is distributed based on contribution and participation, rather than inherited wealth or corporate control.

If the Code of Food succeeds, those who have the foresight to invest their time and resources early will likely see their Merit grow exponentially in value. Just as early adopters of successful platforms—whether they were founders of a startup, buyers of shares at an IPO or early investors in Bitcoin—benefited immensely from their participation, Merit holders in a thriving Code of Food will reap the rewards of being part of a growing, self-sustaining economy.

Unlike traditional financial systems where value is extracted by the wealthy and powerful, Merit rewards those who contribute and build. The more the Code succeeds in disrupting the existing exploitative food supply chain, the more valuable Merit becomes—not because of manipulation or artificial inflation, but because of the real, tangible benefits that the Code delivers to farmers and consumers alike.

Isn’t supporting such change what really deserves to be rewarded in society?

How It Starts

Nothing about our society will change without effort, investment, and commitment to supporting real change. Pinduoduo has already proven that a transparent, decentralized food marketplace can not only work but will deliver profound benefits to all involved.
The vision is clear, but making it a reality requires collective action.

In the beginning, there will be challenges. The Code of Food won't immediately surpass Colesworth, but with patience and support, it will quickly grow to offer real, tangible benefits to both farmers and consumers. Once that tipping point is reached, the vision will spread like bushfire and there will be no turning back.

Australia is uniquely positioned for this transformation with an abundant variety and supply of fresh produce, farmers desperate for change, and farmer organizations poised to mobilize them. The missing piece is consumer commitment, a demonstration of demand for a fairer, more sustainable food system.

The formula is simple:

1. Join the Code of Food.
2. Contribute however you can—whether by spreading awareness, investing time, or offering resources.
3. Most importantly, share the vision with others.

With rapid growth of consumers, everything else will follow.

The pathway to a better food system and a better society is something we can create… if we want to.

I just had my first shadow shift with a new disability support company, and I feel like they completely failed me.

Before the shift, all I was told about the participant was his name, age, address, and that he has schizophrenia. I repeatedly asked management for more info so I could prepare, but they either ignored me or passed me off to someone else who also didn’t tell me anything.

When I arrived, I found out from the worker I was shadowing that the participant is a frequent IV meth user who sometimes leaves dirty needles around the house, posing a major safety risk. He also smokes indoors, which is a problem for me because I have asthma. On top of that, I was told he often convinces support workers to take him to places where he can buy and possibly inject meth.

I was never warned about any of this, despite specifically asking multiple times. Management promised to send me his support plan before the shift—never happened. They told me to contact his support coordinator for info—he never answered.

I did not feel safe or comfortable, and I’m pissed that this was my first experience with the company. I have experience as a DSW, but this feels incredibly unprofessional and unsafe. Is this normal in the industry, or is this a huge red flag? Should I even bother going back?

TL;DR:

Started a new job as a DSW, repeatedly asked for info about a participant but got nothing. Showed up to my first shift and found out he’s a frequent IV meth user who leaves dirty needles around and smokes indoors (I have asthma). Management never warned me. Feels incredibly unsafe—should I quit?

I am in Australia.

It’s been 6 months since i had my last proper iob. I took 3 months holiday than started looking for jobs. (In the meantime got into the hospital) Since november I’m failing to find anything on the job market. I live in the Netherlands and now it looks like there is no option to find a decent job without speaking Dutch. I’m not a dream hire on paper, but have a decent record experience wise. It is insane at the moment it looks like i might need to leave as after 2,5 years I lived up all my savings.

For background info, I started having severe car problems in November, and my car couldn't make the 90 minute one way commute to work. No the commute wasn't always that long, I had to move farther from my job for personal reasons. Back to the point. Both of my bosses knew I was having car issues and was unable afford the repairs or to get a new car. They were also aware of the health problems I had going on. One of them kept hounding me over taking a bus/Uber or offering to rent someone's car. The only buses in my area ran locally, and I'd have to drive 20 minutes to a greyhound station just to pay $40 one way and sit on a bus for 5 hours. Uber was triple that, and no one was going to let me "rent" their car. My other boss kept asking me if I was going to work my scheduled shifts even after telling her I don't have a way there. Then early January I get a message saying to come get my stuff and that I abandoned my job pretty much because I didn't message them every single day to tell them I had no way to work. I don't want my job back as my coworkers treated me like shit, but is this something worth fighting?

I wasn't accepted today at new job after I passed all the interviews because they reached my last job and they told them I broke glass stand in the pharmacy Why people do that why??

I've been working for a big tech company for over 5 years now and for the past couple years I've just wanted out. It first started when the company decided to RTO, but it's become so much more now. My eyes have been opened to how wrong these big tech companies are and how little these corporations care for their employees, customers and the world at-large. It eats at me everyday that I work for and am contributing to the problem by working for this company.

I have been seriously applying for jobs for over a year now and I am not having any luck. In that time, I have received one offer, which was less than I'm making now. I couldn't take the offer, because I've also trapped myself and my family into a mortgage that makes me dependent on my current salary *sigh*. I'm scared about losing my job, especially with the current state of things, and I am pretty sure we would lose the house fairly quickly if that were to occur. I really hope it doesn't come to that because I know it would be hard on kids.

Not sure if this post is appropriate, but I wanted to share my own personal work struggle. I know I'm not alone, so from one to another. Hang in there!

Last thursday I was terminated from a higher-end role (in an at-will state). The "HR Manager" sent a termination letter stating the reason why I was terminated which I can prove is not a valid reason, and stated I didnt have a high level of professionalism, integrity, and trust. Comments like this are damaging to my character that I hold in high regard, and could potentially affect my ability to earn an income in the future.

I think this was a cost savings measure, or a power play by the acting manager.. or potentially retaliation because I was considering filing a bullying, toxic workplace complain with my states labor board.

It also stated I was terminated for cause, but this is also false and affects my ability to get EI.

What are some recommended courses of action?

Thanks

(throw away account)

Okay so… I signed up for new year’s holiday. I work a 4 10s schedule. They told me all holidays are 1.5… Overtime… They are only paying me 8 hours overtime on my holidays. Then 2 hours regular pay. Can they do this to me?

This is just a rant because I am so dumbfounded.

I was fired on Friday. I got to work and my parking pass didn't work, my computer email was down, etc. I thought it had to be a glitch. I got called into the managers office and was told that they received a complaint saying I threatened bodily harm on an employee.

We don't have HR so the office admin said "I want to talk with you because we don't have HR, I am HR and I take accusations very seriously." She proceeded to explain that while I was out, someone came forward to say they heard me say that I wanted to punch a co worker in the face. I couldn't even say anything. After a couple min of her talking and telling me I was fired, I asked when I said this. She said she didn't know and that it was all confidential. I asked if an investigation was done or if it was all hear say, she said "they're a credible source". That is all. I told her I wanted a copy of everything and she said that they couldn't give me anything due to it being confidential. They canceled my insurance and all same day. They didn't let me grab my belongings even though I was in the office for 4 hours before getting fired. They escorted me to my car. Later on Friday, they sent me a termination letter and it doesn't say anything about why I was fired. Just that I was.

I am so confused about this. I'm not sure where this all came from because I never threatened to hit anyone. I previsouly had issues with this co worker, as I started new with a job she wanted but didn't get promoted to. She would send me messages telling me I didn't know how to do my job and that I need to do better work, all while she was in a lower position than me and my supervisors would often tell me I was doing great.

I worked in gov jobs before and something like this getting out could genuinely hurt my chances of getting a job. Could employers see the reason I was fired?

She does this all the fucking time. She also took every sunday off for the entirety of January, even though she was scheduled then. She calls me and two other coworkers names when texting another coworker I have, she yells at all of us when we take an extra five minutes for food even though she cant even arrive on time to her own fucking job.

And no, its not 5-10 minutes late late. Its 45 minutes to even 2-3 HOURS. I am going to be working in the back, and if she sends me home fuck it. I am not letting her step on me anymore.

Hey folks,

I want to share my experience with Primera Medical Technologies, a company based in Hyderabad, that treated me as expendable despite my hard work.

In October 2024, I went through a personal crisis and requested brief leave to handle it. Instead of support or empathy, I was pressured to return and eventually terminated without notice. They falsely accused me of absconding even though I was in constant contact with my supervisor.

To make matters worse, my relieving documents were withheld, preventing me from finding new employment. HR refuses to release them unless I agree to a settlement.

I’m fighting for justice, not revenge, and I’m looking for advice from others who’ve gone through something similar or have faced exploitation by their employers.

We need to stand together against such unethical workplace practices.

#WorkplaceInjustice #EmployeeExploitation #AntiWork #UnethicalTermination #RelievingDocuments #SupportEmployees

Our mandatory company work trip, aka, d*ck sucking retreat is coming up in Los Angeles, where my company’s HQ is. (it was decided and scheduled, DURING the wildfires) When we raised questions, we were told, “well, it’s not really happening near us! It’ll be ok.”

We are scheduled to fly out of DCA. Naturally, I feel a crushing anxiety about flying right now, especially with what has just happened at our airport.

There’s now protests going on in LA.

Trip is a week away. Radio silence from HQ. Not a millisecond of, “hmmm maybe this isn’t the right timing to force 100s of you to fly, to our burnt down city as we face civil unrest in the streets due to the literal coup taking place.”

I don’t think I can do it. My ticket is purchased their dime. Arrangements made. I make less than 70k a year in a HCOL market, where my typical job title earns at least six figures. What the actual fuck are we doing?

My partner is likely going to lose their job, due to the administration. It’s probably not smart to lose mine. I don’t know. This feels like a gun to my head. Pretending everything is normal while CEO takes us out to a fancy dinner? Fuck this.

What would you do?

A quick search result from investopedia (surely not a rigorous source) says that the to enter the top 1%, a household must have at least $13.7 million dollars in assets.

So the one percent stretches from 13.7 million to Elon Musk, worth $421 billion? The bottom of the 1% is still closer to homeless than he is to being a billionaire. The difference between 13.7 million and 421 billion is about 421 billion.

And were letting them destroy us.

Dudes make 60k a year feel like Trump and Musk are their peers?

Jesus, we're really cooked.

I saw someone asking about this, and I figured I'd just make a post about this. I want to explain using an example to illustrate.

Let's say productivity increases two-fold between today and next year because of some revolutionary technology.

There are now broadly three options for how this can be responded to:

1. Everyone has to work half as much.
2. Everyone works the same amount of time but produces twice as much.
3. Half of all people get fired from their current jobs and the other half still works the same amount.

Now, which ones of these benefit the people in charge of the decisions in the economic system like the stockholders and the CEOs?

Everyone working the same amount and producing twice as much benefits them because they can get twice as wealthy (or more if they don't double your pay). Firing half of their employees benefits them because then they have to pay fewer people and get more profit. Making everyone work only half as much... nope, that doesn't benefit them.

They can't take 80% of your vacation, but they can take 80% of the wealth you produce. So the people who determine how much you work will never increase your free time willingly no matter the increase in productivity because it doesn't benefit them, it only benefits you. That's why there's no 4 day work week.

Productivity has increased a lot since the 50s. And yet the work week basically hasn't changed. But the wealth of the top 1% has skyrocketed.

The only way to reduce your work week, is to force them to. Through either unionization and massive strike actions, or through electing people to force them to act in the interest of the 99%, or preferably both.

I got let go from two jobs because I “didn’t fit in the culture anymore” and “there was some negativity.”

“Not fitting in” was me shutting down because my employer wouldn’t do anything about a coworker who was bullying me. So I started losing my enthusiasm towards my work, stopped chatting with everyone (was afraid anything I said would be used against me), just kept my head down, did my work, and went home. I had been employed for 2.5 years, my bully had only been there a handful of months. But I got reprimanded because I got tired of being harassed, and it was showing.

In the case of “there was some negativity,” I hadn’t been at this particular job very long. The office manager would come over to my desk and chew me out, in front of everyone, for every little mistake I made. This particular office had a culture of perfectionism that was VERY difficult to master. But I was desperately trying to get it. Not without being made a fool of, in front of my peers, when I ultimately did make a mistake. After having enough of being treated like that, I looked her dead in the eyes and said “I am sorry I made this mistake. As you can see, I am in the process of fixing it. May I remind you, I’ve only been here a couple weeks. I’m still learning. And you have all said it yourselves, it is a lot. I’m going to make occasional mistakes. I’m not perfect. And I’d appreciate not being made to feel like crap every time I miss something.” I got pulled aside to get a talking to, was fired shortly after.

My current job, I’m once again a target of a bully. She is manipulative and a gossip. She can’t even see customers out without saying something about them as soon as they are out the door. And a lot of it is very personal stuff they told her in confidence. Information that doesn’t need spread around the office. This is why I tell her nothing about my personal life. Everything you say can, and will, get used against you. She gets my other coworker, and boss, in on her need for drama and gossip too. That includes gossiping about me. Nothing I do is right. I’m too this, not enough that. I’m annoying. I’ve caught her and my other coworker criticizing my character on Teams. And the less I say, the less I react, the more I gray rock, the harder she pushes. Down to saying very hurtful things just to get a reaction. (Which I still don’t give her. Even if I’m seething inside.)

I’m just at my wits end. All I want to do is my job, so I can get paid and go home. But it’s as if it’s a, “if you’re not for us you’re against us” culture in offices. At least, in my line of work (insurance.) Look. I’m not for or against anyone. I’m just trying to mind my own business and do my job, and at least be treated with some basic respect while doing so. Why is that so controversial?

Everyone’s answer when you have a bully at work, or people who gossip not nice things about you is “stand up to them” or “let management know.” I did both of those things. It’s gotten me let go from two jobs. And now my current boss joins in on the gossip about me. I’m, once again, scared of “not fitting in culture.” Or being “negative.” Because why? Because I come in to my job and…work? Because I prefer to stay out of office gossip? Because I inevitably have a negative reaction to being bullied and gossiped about? Who wouldn’t? How the heck am I supposed to react to it? I’m tired of losing jobs because I’m not exactly thrilled with being the office scapegoat or punching bag. And I don’t win either way. I either take action and I become the problem, or keep my head down, and I’m still the problem.

I just want to be allowed to do my job, do it as best of my ability, in peace, and that be enough. Instead, my every move and word is scrutinized. But then I become the problem when I either stand up for myself, or shut down.

Honestly, it makes me sick thinking we have to do this bullshit all over again. I mean if it were 32 hours per week it would be A LOT more tolerable and enjoyable.

40 hours means you're done when the sun is about down so you barely have much time to enjoy before you have to sleep early and get ready for the next day of torture.

(First of all I absolutely hate the war related speak jargon he's using but, let me explain what he said ..)

Soooo I'm in sales for a home health company and have an arbitrary number we're supposed to reach and (pretend, cough) to care about.

If we don't reach the number we don't get fired, and a lot of it is out of our control weather we reach that number (short staffing with nurses, blacked out service area due to fraud etc).

My boss decided at 1pm to send me and my team an email where we should consider working on the weekends- and don't forget to track in in the three time consuming and useless apps we made to micromanage you!

He says a small amount of time can pay off big. I'm truly blown away, I've never been asked to come in on a 8-5 m-f salaried job on the weekends. Why does he have this audacity, and is this even legal?

We all (10ppl) just found out the boss has been clocking us in and out for unpaid breaks but we get no breaks. This has been going on for over 6 months and maybe 30 people. He is also not providing pay stubs. We’re currently just gathering evidence and information to figure out the best next move.

I'm just so sick and tired of working in corporate America. I'm tired of being rushed, overwhelmed with a never-ending list of tasks, and being expected to go "above and beyond." I'm tired of other people's timelines being forced upon me, and having to pick up the slack by working overtime or weekends because someone else was late. I'm tired of non-stop meetings that don't even give me a break to go eat some food or take a shit. Even on the weekends, when I should be spending my time enjoying life, I'm still riddled with the stress of the week. I can't just "switch off." I'm tired of living my life stressed about work or dreading being stressed about work. I feel like it has taken over my life. I hate being "summoned" somewhere away from home when I have things going on in my life. Like, okay, let me just drop everything I could possibly have going on in my life to sit in a room and have meetings for an entire week. We could do this virtually, you know?

And I've been working long enough to know that the company you work for doesn't give a shit about you. If they determine your role is not necessary, they will happily lay you off. I went through a month-long layoff scare last year, but yet, why am I still here busting my ass for this company? Why should I care about the company's results when they don't care about how much hell they put me through worrying whether I was going to have a job or not?

Does anyone else feel like this and what is the solution? Is it like this everywhere or just in corporate America? Is it any better in the public sector.

I just can't keep living like this....

While online applying for new jobs, I found my current job advertised on SEEK. Not sure how to play this out? I was already looking for a new job, because this one sucks, but I was obviously waiting until I'd locked something in before I resigned. I'm still on probation, so i could've left effective immediately, which means they can fire me as such if they get someone in quickly. They don't know, that I know they've advertised my job. What should I do? I'm thinking of spending pretty much all my work time applying for jobs as well as a health mix of Reddit, Youtube and realestate.com etc. Doing the least amount of work I can get away with. Any advice? What would you guys do?

A few months ago, I tried to resign from my job as an Operations Manager at a commercial waterproofing company. At the time, my main focus was securing a down payment for a new home, and when I gave my notice, the company convinced me to stay by saying I only had to answer to the owner and that they would help me financially. The owner ended up giving me $10K, with $5K being specifically mentioned as something I might need to pay back depending on how the rest of the year went—though it was never brought up again.

Fast forward to recently, I decided to leave for good after dealing with ongoing stress from billing issues, project complications, and a lack of clear direction. A major project ran into problems, and my boss implied my job was on the line. Around the same time, his son was brought in to oversee operations, and I felt like my role was becoming unstable. There was also tension with a salesman who I suspected was working against me. The stress was wearing me down, and I felt like I cared more about the company than it cared about me.

When I officially put in my notice, they terminated me on the spot. They demanded I return my company laptop that same day and hinted at “repercussions” if I didn’t. The owner even suggested he could take legal action over the money he gave me for the house. On top of that, I was a salaried employee, but they refused to issue my final paycheck, claiming I hadn’t worked my last week—even though I was in the hospital with my family after a major surgery and was still answering calls and emails.

I’ve already moved on to a new job with better structure and long-term potential, but looking back, I keep wondering—was I in the wrong for leaving when I did? Should I have stuck it out longer?

It's Sunday evening and I'm absolutely dreading turning on the laptop in the morning. Last weekend I was still wide awake at 5am, fretting. I fear similar lack of sleep tonight. Currently working my notice but it's certainly taking its toll.

So I'm holding out a virtual hand to anyone else who's dreading Monday morning.

Twelve years and this crappy company cannot even have the decency of giving me an exit interview. Here is the box that will be delivered with my computer in it. Crude, rude, and childish. 🔥

Part 1: Food Pathways

Food is a primal need. Supply disruptions (by environment or economy) result in scarcity.

Pathways vary from time to place, yet always address a community need. Skills of independence and interdependence form a safety net. Yet, these are the very things industry has sought to erode.

To sever us from knowledge, history, community, and understanding is by design. Industry is well-rehearsed in a collection of mythologies that run counter to, and conflict with, our very nature. "Generosity is fool-hearty, relationships are transactions. Food is a mystery; now, will this be cash or credit?"

To hunt, gather, cook, make, heal are life skills. Foundational skills that industry calls "obsolete hobbies".

It is the industrialist's job to lie. Their century-old framework continues to rust, to spite every coat of fresh paint.

The pathways are an ancient tree, reaching skyward. Thousands of branches. Seek out the pathways, and grow, so all may thrive.

Part 2: Fortify Against Scarcity

A. Shelf stable staples. Low cost items to stretch dishes and add nutritional value. (Pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, broth.) The Petty Herbalist podcast dives deeper into food, nutrition, and resiliency.

B. Recipes, from times of scarcity and creativity. For example, dandelion was used during the Great Depression (yes, dandelion).

C. Growing (vast topic) Alliums and potatos are notorious for sprouting, indoors, mid-winter. It's annoying, but congrats on the new plant 🎉 🥳 🎉. Don't trash them, they will yield a harvest with minimal effort.

D. Foraging. Alexis Nikole aka Blackforager provides excellent coverage on safety, identification, harvest techniques, and uses.

E. Animal and mushroom hunting, fishing, livestock and animal husbandry, all valid skills. (However, I do not have enough understanding to speak on these topics, so I will not).

Think of these as sign posts and not the journey. Many hours of digital media and library books await you. (It is very "choose your own adventure".)

Part 3✨ Intermission ✨

When food is on the table and medicine in the cabinet, we do not question the exchange. Yet, in recent years, it has become hard not to question: How can 'essential' work not be fair pay? How can an algorithm deem medical care 'optional'? With everything happening, it's easy to feel out-of-sorts.

Yet, we are the descendants of perilous times. Every war and famine. Every bountiful harvest and Dust Bowl.

Of food scarcity, there is no crystal ball. It cannot be prevented, only guarded against.

Monoculture is the beach-body of growing methods. Visually pleasing, but expensive to maintain. More attractive are permaculture models. Such as WW2 Victory Gardens, First Nation's 3-Sisters, and Hugelkulture.

Pollinators, custodians, mycelium networks; all positives. Synthetic sprays and chemical fertilizer; ironically not, as it damages the former.

Winter is a wonderful time to plan ahead. To discuss things like small space growing and ways to obtain seeds.

Part 4: Of Seeds & Roots

📚Some public libraries host free seed events.

🌱Some stores have seed packets & mushroom kits that are EBT eligible (but not always).

Most plants spread by seed or root. Sometimes both. (Very few, very 🦕old🦖plants use spores).

🛒Not all, but many potatoes, alliums, tomatoes, peppers, and squash found in the produce department will sprout. YouTube has tutorials on how to do this.

🌳Trees take years to produce. Many established, but overlooked trees grow nearby. Such as mulberry, crabapple, maple, oak, and walnut.

🌿(Bring us a shrubbery)🌿 Berries grow on bushes, canes and vines. Compound berries, like raspberries, have no toxic look-alikes this far North. However, there are toxic berries out there, such as nightshade and pokeweed.

🍃Many seeds arrive free on the wind. Wild plants are useful and resilient. When lettuce bolts under summer sun, lambsquarter grows strong. Chickweed remains evergreen under snowfall.

🦋You start with seeds, and if you are not careful, you end up with a haven. (Bumblebees drunk on primrose, skillful spiders, curious chickedees, chatty catbirds. Phantom deer that turn out to be a groundhog. A Hummingbird Moth that is practically a Pokemon. You have a plan to grow certain plants, for food or medicine, but it quickly goes beyond that.)

Part 5 🪴Growing Spaces🪴

Indoors : Windowsill, counter top, table, bookshelf. Many plants can start growing indoors, with a little light, soil, and water. (However, this is difficult if your 🐈 likes to experiment with things/gravity.)

Vertical & Hanging: often used for climbing and cascading plants. (Pole beans happily climb nearby sticks/string. Strawberry towers are used to grow more in limited spaces. Tomatoes can be kept in hanging baskets, to deter squirrels)

Raised Beds: Each type has benefits and drawbacks. Common builds are Keyhole, Spiral, Straw Bale, 5 Gallon, and Hugelkultur.

Victory Gardens (1940s) and Kitchen Gardens (1600s) were common in their time. Yet, the strongest growing method in North American was created by First Nations. For 3,000 years, Three Sisters has withstood the test of time.

Many cities have (or have potential for) community and school gardens. Providing access and nutrition in an otherwise gridlocked landscape. 🌳https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_gardening 🌳

Part 5.5 🌠 Glory to Wikipedia 📑

It was forbidden in school, but I am going to cite the crap out of wiki. (Watch out for the rabbit holes!)

3 sisters : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture) 🫘 https://www.nps.gov/tont/learn/nature/the-three-sisters.htm 🌽

Hugelkulture : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugelkulture ⛰️ https://www.permies.com/c/growies 🌿

Victory : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden 🥕

Raised Beds : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raised-bed_gardening 🏔

Keyhole : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyhole_garden 🔑

Spiral : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_spiral 🌀

Straw bale : https://www.almanac.com/straw-bale-gardening-beginners 🌾

5 Gallon : https://www.almanac.com/10-vegetables-grow-buckets-bags-or-baskets 🪣

Colonial to Modern Timeline: https://gardens.si.edu/collections/archives/timeline-of-american-garden-history/ 📜

🕳 🕳 🕳 🐇

Thank you for reading.

I hope some of these words or information is useful to you, your family, your community, your future.

(I grew up in a factory town. Industry was our entire culture. Overnight the world cracked open and swallowed us up. None of us prepared. Nobody knew what to do. People scrambled, gave up entirely, or lashed out blindly. Nobody saw it coming, nobody prepared.)

Yes, we are in a time of uncertainty, but uncertainty is twin to possibly. Expand your skill set. Prepare.