David Frayne
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davidfrayne.bsky.social
David Frayne
@davidfrayne.bsky.social
Future of work / politics of time / basic income / wellness critic / four-day week pilot studies. Author of 'The Refusal of Work' (Bloomsbury). Editor of 'The Work Cure' (PCCS).

"Very dry reading, but worth it" (Goodreads)
In brief: one of the biggest threats to kids mental health might be the well-being brigade.

"Hey teacher, leave those kids alone" etc etc
July 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Which is to say that they create a particular kind of psychological subject. One that frets about happiness, accepts pockets of 'self care' as consolation for alienation, and takes reifying diagnostic terms into their identity
July 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM
My 9 year old came up to me last week saying he "has" social anxiety. The point about these categories is they don't simply label what was always out there. These languages are also CONSTITUTIVE
July 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The 'economic value' part of this particularly ugly. Shame on #bacp and its muddled priorities
May 16, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I e. how we talk and manage each other's feelings is more important than structures and actions. Statements like "we want our workers to feel empowered" (not BE empowered). Or the possibility of "positive offboarding" (we will sack you but in a kind voice)
May 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
If Google Translate is to be relied on, 'The Refusal of Work' translates as 'Say No to Work'.

Definitely don't do that. But do advocate for post-work policy alternatives (a message that gets lost in the article, as interesting as it is)
May 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM