This isnt even true at face value and ignoring the subjectivity. People talk about “sustainable happiness” and improving welbeing all the time in the business of academia and in certain contexts it tends to have a huge impact on avoiding addiction, disease, fostering academic success and prevention of suicide. I just did a paper that highlights that Native communities and individuals that have high levels of proficiency in their heritage languages, and thus have better intergenerationally connected communities, have greater welbeing and purpose.

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Also I want to add that the “serve the imperial machine” thing is legit the sentiment here. It reminds me of certain Christian doctrines that center servitude to God and the church, because God is correct and mighty. Its a demand that you never consider the impacts this has on yourself or others. Its such a cult mentality.