Altoids by the Fistful
4 hours ago
- #work-life
- #existentialism
- #technology
- A colleague, Jim, reveals his unusual method of masking the taste of unpleasant tasks (metaphorically referred to as 'cat turds') by eating Altoids.
- The narrator reflects on the prevalence of 'cat turds' in life—mundane, unfulfilling tasks that must be endured, from homework to work projects.
- The narrator grapples with the realization that much of their professional work feels meaningless, comparing it to 'painting the backs of cabinets'—effort that goes unnoticed.
- A generational contrast is drawn between the narrator's father, who took pride in meticulous craftsmanship, and the narrator's own disillusionment with modern work.
- The narrator observes a stranger using AI to complete a writing task, highlighting how people use tools to avoid engaging with tedious work.
- The story concludes with the narrator confronting their own existential crisis—struggling to reconcile passion with the demands of modern life.