小渔村里，商人坐在沙滩上，看渔夫每天来此捕鱼。想不到渔夫捕的鱼如此肥美，商人便问 他每天得花多少工夫。 "然后你搬到城里住，再搞一个配送站。" "再然后呢？" "再然后就把生意扩大到全球，你的公司就能上 "不多，就一会儿。"渔夫答道。 "那你何不多花点时间，多捕一些上来？"商人问。 "我只需要这么多。" "那你每天都忙什么呢？" "睡饱就起，抓几条鱼，陪陪孩子，再和老婆睡个午觉，下午叫几个朋友，去镇上喝酒、弹 吉他。"渔夫答。 商人震惊了。他亮明身份，说自己是工商管理硕士毕业，只要渔夫听他一言，生意定能做大 做强。"你去买一艘大船，把赚的钱拿来开一家罐头厂。" "然后呢？"渔夫问。 市了。等时机成熟，你套现离场，不就成大富翁了！" "那又怎样？" "那你就可以退休了，找个小渔村，睡到自然醒，每天抓几条鱼，陪陪孩子，和老婆睡个午 觉，叫上三五好友，去镇上喝酒、弹吉他。" 渔夫笑了笑，继续在沙滩上忙碌起来。 我喜欢这则寓言。这个故事最初来自1963年德国的一篇短篇小说，后来广为流传。不过，故事里商人以 工作为中心的人生观倒是极具美国特色。美国可谓人人都信奉"我生产，所以我存在"的准则。 美国人初次见面，上来就问" ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the concept of "workism," where work becomes a central aspect of identity and meaning in life, particularly in American culture, and contrasts it with a more balanced approach to life that includes leisure and personal fulfillment [7][10][21]. Group 1: Workism and Identity - Work has become a defining aspect of identity for many, with surveys indicating that twice as many Americans find meaning in work compared to relationships [7][8]. - The phenomenon of workism is not limited to the U.S.; it is prevalent among high-income individuals globally, where work is often seen as a source of meaning and community [10][11]. - The historical context shows a shift from viewing work as a means of survival to a source of personal fulfillment, particularly among white-collar workers [12][14]. Group 2: Cultural and Economic Factors - Economic pressures, such as rising costs and stagnant wages, compel individuals to work longer hours, even when they have the means to reduce their workload [14]. - The decline of labor unions has diminished collective bargaining power, leading to a culture where work is seen as the primary source of achievement and identity [14][11]. - The new American work ethic emphasizes personal achievement through work, often at the expense of other life aspects [14][10]. Group 3: The Pursuit of Balance - The article advocates for a balanced approach to work and life, suggesting that individuals should not let their jobs define their identities [21][20]. - It highlights the importance of pursuing "good enough" work rather than idealizing work as the sole source of fulfillment, which can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction [15][16]. - The narrative encourages individuals to invest time and energy in pursuits outside of work to create a more holistic sense of identity and meaning [19][21].