{
  "id": 6142402,
  "title": "Marge Piercy on Why Work Matters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/marge-piercy-on-why-work-matters",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-07T14:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Conversable Economist",
    "slug": "conversable-economist",
    "url": "https://conversableeconomist.com/2026/09/07/marge-piercy-on-why-work-matters-3/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Explaining the significance of work can be a challenging task when discussing unemployment. It is clear that higher unemployment rates result in reduced economic output, lower tax revenue, and a greater reliance on government welfare assistance. Additionally, unemployment is linked to various social problems such as bankruptcy, divorce, depression, and even suicide. However, these consequences, although crucial to teach the economics of unemployment, do not fully capture the essence of why meaningful work is so essential. The renowned poet Marge Piercy, in her 1973 poem \"To be of use,\" provides a more succinct and compelling perspective on the importance of productive work. Piercy's words emphasize the transformative power of labor and the unique bonds formed through collective effort.\n\nThose we hold dearest dive headfirst into their work, skipping the superficial and swimming with purpose and speed. They seamlessly integrate into their environment, akin to seals bouncing gracefully on the water. The individuals who willingly embrace work—like an ox pulling a heavy cart, a water buffalo toiling with immense patience, and people toiling in muck and mud—move the world forward. They willingly take on the tasks that need to be done, repeatedly. Piercy yearns to be surrounded by people who immerse themselves in their tasks, working in unison in fields, passing bags along, and performing their roles without hesitation. Rather than being mere commentators on the sidelines, they work in harmony, striving for excellence in their endeavors.\n\nPiercy highlights that work is ubiquitous, like mud—messy and essential. While a poorly executed job may leave hands dirty and result in dust, the work well done possesses a distinct shape that brings satisfaction and clarity. Historical examples such as Greek amphoras for wine or oil, and Hopi vases used for storing corn, are now preserved in museums, but their purpose was to serve a practical function. Similarly, a pitcher requires water to carry, and a person requires meaningful work. On this Labor Day holiday, it is fitting to revisit Piercy's poignant poem, emphasizing the value of work and the profound connections it fosters among people.",
  "summary": "I sometimes struggle, when teaching about unemployment, to explain just why work matters. It’s straightforward enough to note that elevated unemployment leads to loss of economic output, lower tax payments, and greater need for government welfare benefits. I can refer to evidence on how unemployment is connected to social ills like bankruptcy, divorce, depression, and … Continue reading Marge…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}