Comments on: Studs Terkel’s Working http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: MutantSuperModel http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1197522 MutantSuperModel Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:33:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1197522 I love Harvey Pekar and would love to read that book but alas my library's stock of graphic novels is pretty much non-existent. This is one of those charity things I put into my mental background as things I want to do when I "can afford to be generous." Donating a good collection of graphic novels to the library is definitely up there. I love Harvey Pekar and would love to read that book but alas my library’s stock of graphic novels is pretty much non-existent. This is one of those charity things I put into my mental background as things I want to do when I “can afford to be generous.” Donating a good collection of graphic novels to the library is definitely up there.

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]]> By: Julia http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1196002 Julia Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:33:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1196002 Please write a graphic novel about finance! As an adult with ADD, I deeply appreciate ANY deviation from text-only information delivery systems. Maus was a literary and commercial hit - talk about improbable, a cartoon about the Holocaust. Can you imagine the pre-publication talk about those books - he wrote what??? And then it became a classic. You can definitely write a great graphic novel about people and money, JD! Please write a graphic novel about finance! As an adult with ADD, I deeply appreciate ANY deviation from text-only information delivery systems. Maus was a literary and commercial hit – talk about improbable, a cartoon about the Holocaust. Can you imagine the pre-publication talk about those books – he wrote what??? And then it became a classic. You can definitely write a great graphic novel about people and money, JD!

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]]> By: AnonAgain http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1195972 AnonAgain Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:04:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1195972 Apologies in advance for nitpicking, but while this may be "graphic novel style," it ain't a novel if it's non-fiction. Some people may consider "comic book" to be pejorative, but using the more formal, less accurate term smacks of insecurity (just like "sanitation engineer"). Apologies in advance for nitpicking, but while this may be “graphic novel style,” it ain’t a novel if it’s non-fiction. Some people may consider “comic book” to be pejorative, but using the more formal, less accurate term smacks of insecurity (just like “sanitation engineer”).

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]]> By: Rosa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1194962 Rosa Sun, 20 Feb 2011 06:37:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1194962 Nickeled & Dimed is nothing like Working, though, because Terkel let people speak for themselves (I love all his books, especially the one about old people.) I'd buy a graphic novel memoir of yours, JD. Though since one of your big pieces of advice is "don't buy so many comics" I wonder if our comic store would stock it :) Nickeled & Dimed is nothing like Working, though, because Terkel let people speak for themselves (I love all his books, especially the one about old people.)

I’d buy a graphic novel memoir of yours, JD. Though since one of your big pieces of advice is “don’t buy so many comics” I wonder if our comic store would stock it :)

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]]> By: Tina http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1194472 Tina Sun, 20 Feb 2011 02:40:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1194472 I think a graphic novel would be a great idea, especially if it's geared towards someone who's just graduated high school and is off to college. For example, I know the rules have changed regarding credit cards being offered to college students, but having some guidance for a situation like that would be invaluable. You could also do something like tips and tricks for saving money on typical expenses, student loans, etc. I think a graphic novel would be a great idea, especially if it’s geared towards someone who’s just graduated high school and is off to college. For example, I know the rules have changed regarding credit cards being offered to college students, but having some guidance for a situation like that would be invaluable. You could also do something like tips and tricks for saving money on typical expenses, student loans, etc.

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]]> By: Stan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1194402 Stan Sun, 20 Feb 2011 02:12:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1194402 Add my vote to those who would read J.D.'s graphic novel. I think it sounds like a great idea! Add my vote to those who would read J.D.’s graphic novel. I think it sounds like a great idea!

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]]> By: I.N. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1194122 I.N. Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:16:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1194122 As a former escort and someone concerned with sex worker rights, I am glad to see a call-girl represented among working people. A recurring theme in discussions I see between activists is that we need to change the discourse about sex work to what it really is about - work. With its ups and downs, challenges and joys, people who like it and people who don't but just do it for the money. And looking at the garbage truck driver example or all the jokes about lawyers, I can also see we are not the only ones with a stigma attached to the job description. As a former escort and someone concerned with sex worker rights, I am glad to see a call-girl represented among working people. A recurring theme in discussions I see between activists is that we need to change the discourse about sex work to what it really is about – work. With its ups and downs, challenges and joys, people who like it and people who don’t but just do it for the money.

And looking at the garbage truck driver example or all the jokes about lawyers, I can also see we are not the only ones with a stigma attached to the job description.

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]]> By: felix http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193972 felix Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:07:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193972 I second Susan's recommendation for Gig...It's no Working, but I thought it was a good read. And I agree that a personal finance comic would be awesome (but then I'm a big fan of comics). I second Susan’s recommendation for Gig…It’s no Working, but I thought it was a good read.

And I agree that a personal finance comic would be awesome (but then I’m a big fan of comics).

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]]> By: Pat S. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193802 Pat S. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:59:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193802 I agree with Chris. I'd read it. Pat http://compoundingreturns.blogspot.com I agree with Chris. I’d read it.
Pat
http://compoundingreturns.blogspot.com

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]]> By: KAD http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193642 KAD Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:34:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193642 You should TOTALLY write that graphic novel, J.D. It would reach out to audiences not tapped by your first book: young people who need to hear your message before they start making serious mistakes with money. DO it! Do it! You should TOTALLY write that graphic novel, J.D. It would reach out to audiences not tapped by your first book: young people who need to hear your message before they start making serious mistakes with money. DO it! Do it!

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]]> By: PigPennies http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193632 PigPennies Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:23:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193632 Thank you for posting these excerpts! Everyone does have something important to say, but sometimes that's easy to forget about yourself when you're working 9-5 under fluorescent light bulbs in a synergy cube. Thank you for posting these excerpts! Everyone does have something important to say, but sometimes that’s easy to forget about yourself when you’re working 9-5 under fluorescent light bulbs in a synergy cube.

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]]> By: chacha1 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193542 chacha1 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:07:33 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193542 When I was in my early teens, my Dad gave me a comic book about a character called Primero Dinero. It was all about microeconomics and entrepreneurship. Primero got into all kinds of scrapes including a shipwreck and, fabulously, I seem to recall a liaison with Morgan Fairchild. It wasn't kid-level stuff. :-) It was funny but very instructive. Edited to add - out of curiosity I did a quick search and there are two copies for sale at Abebooks, expensive, but if this is your bag, might be a good addition to the collection. "The Adventures of Primero Dinero." When I was in my early teens, my Dad gave me a comic book about a character called Primero Dinero. It was all about microeconomics and entrepreneurship. Primero got into all kinds of scrapes including a shipwreck and, fabulously, I seem to recall a liaison with Morgan Fairchild. It wasn’t kid-level stuff. :-) It was funny but very instructive.
Edited to add – out of curiosity I did a quick search and there are two copies for sale at Abebooks, expensive, but if this is your bag, might be a good addition to the collection. “The Adventures of Primero Dinero.”

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]]> By: Chris http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193472 Chris Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:10:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193472 Please do it J.D.! You of course will have your own take on an angle for your book but I think it would be real cool to just have ordinary people talking about how they manage their money. Maybe less a how to and more of people's voices. That's what makes this blog and others that I like to read so compelling, the personal stories. Please do it J.D.! You of course will have your own take on an angle for your book but I think it would be real cool to just have ordinary people talking about how they manage their money. Maybe less a how to and more of people’s voices. That’s what makes this blog and others that I like to read so compelling, the personal stories.

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]]> By: brokeprofessionals http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193462 brokeprofessionals Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:09:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193462 That one graphic novel story about the "sanitation worker" reminded me of growing up. My father had an honest job, worked a ton of hours, and put food on the table, but I would be ashamed because the other kids would make fun of me for it. Now as an adult I am, of course, ashamed for not respecting what my dad was sacrificing and giving up so I could go to college oneday, to put on the table, etc. I too find the every day life activities of the average person interesting. That one graphic novel story about the “sanitation worker” reminded me of growing up. My father had an honest job, worked a ton of hours, and put food on the table, but I would be ashamed because the other kids would make fun of me for it. Now as an adult I am, of course, ashamed for not respecting what my dad was sacrificing and giving up so I could go to college oneday, to put on the table, etc. I too find the every day life activities of the average person interesting.

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]]> By: Chickybeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193422 Chickybeth Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:57:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193422 What I found most interesting about this post was the quote form the younger worker talking about the boss: "We do the job and we do it fine, but he doesn't know why. The older guys work because they want to get ahead but he doesn't know why we do." It seems like that's why everyone is complaining these days about Generation Y. People don't understand their motivation for wanting to make the world better and so they consider them lazy. It's nice to be reminded how every generation goes through the same cycles and how today's idealist will be tomorrow's curmudgeon. :) What I found most interesting about this post was the quote form the younger worker talking about the boss:

“We do the job and we do it fine, but he doesn’t know why. The older guys work because they want to get ahead but he doesn’t know why we do.”

It seems like that’s why everyone is complaining these days about Generation Y. People don’t understand their motivation for wanting to make the world better and so they consider them lazy. It’s nice to be reminded how every generation goes through the same cycles and how today’s idealist will be tomorrow’s curmudgeon. :)

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]]> By: Matt http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193302 Matt Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:05:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193302 For those in chicago, there is a production of Working going on right now. I saw it on Thursday and really enjoyed it. For those in chicago, there is a production of Working going on right now. I saw it on Thursday and really enjoyed it.

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]]> By: Kim http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193292 Kim Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:04:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193292 I highly recommend: Nickled and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. This is an infomrative and startling portrait of the working poor. Here's the A-zon link: http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805063897 I highly recommend: Nickled and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. This is an infomrative and startling portrait of the working poor. Here’s the A-zon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805063897

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]]> By: e e cummings http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193272 e e cummings Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:08 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193272 As a Studs Terkel fan, and (partly because of darling husband) a budding comics fan (or BD where I live) I give this review 2 thumbs up. The book is now on my list for the next book-buying round. Thanks for the information!!! As a Studs Terkel fan, and (partly because of darling husband) a budding comics fan (or BD where I live) I give this review 2 thumbs up. The book is now on my list for the next book-buying round. Thanks for the information!!!

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]]> By: Wade http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193212 Wade Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:11:15 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193212 I'd never actually heard of this book before, and I find the concept and excerpts to be very interesting. It is kind of a unique view of how workers of that era felt. Take for example, the worker from the "Bible Belt" that is working for a "Yankee" after the "War of Northern Aggression." It is very interesting what these people thought of the jobs they performed. I’d never actually heard of this book before, and I find the concept and excerpts to be very interesting. It is kind of a unique view of how workers of that era felt. Take for example, the worker from the “Bible Belt” that is working for a “Yankee” after the “War of Northern Aggression.” It is very interesting what these people thought of the jobs they performed.

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]]> By: bon http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193192 bon Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:05:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193192 Love, love, love Brenda Ueland. Love, love, love Brenda Ueland.

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]]> By: Susan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193062 Susan Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:23:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193062 Cool - I really loved the original book. A few years ago, someone published a modern version called "Gig". The interviews aren't as brilliant as terkel's (he was just a genius in my opinion), but it's fun because it looks at today's work world. Cool – I really loved the original book. A few years ago, someone published a modern version called “Gig”. The interviews aren’t as brilliant as terkel’s (he was just a genius in my opinion), but it’s fun because it looks at today’s work world.

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]]> By: Pamela http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/19/studs-terkels-working/comment-page-1/#comment-1193022 Pamela Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:53:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=68902#comment-1193022 I owned a hard cover copy of Working for many years and dipped into it over and over. People are very eloquent when someone is listening, really listening to them. As I consider these stories today, I think of many people I meet now who are dissatisfied with the whole idea of working at a conventional 9-to-5 job and hope there is something better out there that will give them more control over their destiny. It would be interesting to see someone who loves stories as much as Terkel interview workers born after 1950. I had no idea this book had been released as a graphic novel. It reminds me a little bit of Will Eisner's stories about every day life in NYC. I'll be looking for it. And I'm a big fan of sequential art myself. I'd love to see a financial planning book in my local comic shop. Daniel Pink's The Adventures of Johnny Bunko might be an interesting inspiration for it. I owned a hard cover copy of Working for many years and dipped into it over and over. People are very eloquent when someone is listening, really listening to them.

As I consider these stories today, I think of many people I meet now who are dissatisfied with the whole idea of working at a conventional 9-to-5 job and hope there is something better out there that will give them more control over their destiny. It would be interesting to see someone who loves stories as much as Terkel interview workers born after 1950.

I had no idea this book had been released as a graphic novel. It reminds me a little bit of Will Eisner’s stories about every day life in NYC. I’ll be looking for it.

And I’m a big fan of sequential art myself. I’d love to see a financial planning book in my local comic shop. Daniel Pink’s The Adventures of Johnny Bunko might be an interesting inspiration for it.

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