Jonathan Malesic’s article, “There’s a Very Good Reason College Students Don’t Read Anymore,” struck a chord with me, reflecting a lot of what I’ve been seeing in how young people view work today. Malesic suggests that students might actually be making a rational choice in distancing themselves from reading deeply. Why invest time in intellectual labor when the world they’re entering seems to value vibes and quick results over real effort?

This shift in perspective parallels a change in how today’s youth approaches work. Where work was once valued as a path to self-discovery and contribution, it’s now often seen as a way to get by, not grow—here are my thoughts on why work feels like a reluctant compromise. I’ve noticed this sense of pragmatism, where the old mantra of “work hard, get rewarded” feels out of sync. Instead, there’s a clear demand for maximum return with minimal investment.

Malesic also points to something bigger: the way students increasingly see the workplace as a place where success is dictated by luck or connections rather than talent or skill. In their eyes, they’re making a rational choice by prioritizing their “brand” over growth, taking cues from influencers and “day-in-the-life” videos that paint work as a lifestyle more than a grind.

So, what does this mean for the future? Are we looking at a necessary evolution in response to a world that values convenience over craftsmanship, or are we watching the erosion of values that built our societies?