To: Shop Talk, BBC Radio 4
Re: Motivation in the workplace and sustainability
Date: Tuesday 20 December 05

Dear Shop Talk,
 
I listened with great interest to today's broadcast on "motivation in the workplace", but I don't think I heard any mention whatsoever of the motivation (or lack of it) provided by the nature or purpose of the work in question; which, particularly in respect to sustainability, is surely of uttermost importance. Where is the motivation, if what we are doing is helping to plunder and spoil our planet, and with it our own children's future?

I'm developing an anthropological approach to the problem of sustainability (climate change etc.) on our finite and vulnerable planet, Spaceship Earth, in which "work" - surprise, surprise - plays the dominant (in fact, virtually the only) role.  Most of what we do is either working ourselves, purchasing the work (products and services) of others, or allowing invested money to work for us. If we are placing too great a drain and strain on Earth's limited natural resources and carrying capacity, thus threatening not just the prosperity, but the very survival of coming generations, it is through work, work and work that we are doing so.

Yours sincerely

 

BBC Radio 4 - Shop Talk