The Lie of Hustle Culture: A Critique of Stanford University

[@clareashcraft3411]

This is painfully resonate rn. Trying to balance 3 jobs and clubs and 18 credits, justifying it with other people do more and I'm building myself a future, but I keep wondering if I'm building myself a cage.

[@axle_le]

Ahhh yess!! I'm so glad that other people can relate to this. Thank you for watching!

[@dkaraush]

"Happiness" means the absence of desire, motivation. You shouldn't do anything when you are happy, you already are. Great things are done by unhappy, sad people; people who see imperfections, people who work a lot, people whose goal of life is not being constantly "happy".

[@AvikReengusia]

Idk what's stopping me. I just want to lie on the beach and eat hot dogs. That's all I've ever wanted.

[@axle_le]

Haha for real that sounds pretty ideal

[@joelleweir9535]

Ok, Kevin 😂😂🌭🌭

[@nitinbalyan1023]

​@@joelleweir9535 kevin from team titan?😮

[@learnsatmath]

I rarely sit down to watch a 10 minute video of someone talking straight to the camera, but this whole video was great. Perfect blend between being genuine and concise.

[@axle_le]

Thank you! That's so kind. I appreciate you taking the time to watch :)

[@animaldonado7148]

I'm so happy you were able to make this video, because even though I'm a sophomore in highschool, I decided to take a class thinking that it would be fine, thinking that I would be able to learn everything. But every night I just stressed about how I couldn't understand what was going on, everyone around me seemed like they knew what they were doing, but not me. I questioned whether or not I should drop the class. In the end, I did make the decision of leaving the class because I was not happy. Of course, this is not the case for everyone but you really have to think about yourself. It's our life, and we can't live it being miserable.

[@axle_le]

PREEACHHHH! I'm glad that this message was relatable to you and you actually chose what was best for you!

[@NomadicDaydreamer]

Efficiency has become so prioritized in pretty much everything, that we are forgetting to enjoy moments or the journey. If you think about it, we have created such high standards that to the point that we are afraid of being human.

[@axle_le]

preach!!!!

[@azmeecruz1080]

Reminds of themes from “Death of a Salesman” on living up to our culture‘a standards rather than listening to our internal voice: who’s life are we living?

[@axle_le]

Oh, I've never heard of that, but I'll make sure to check it out!

[@scottjackson163]

Excellent literary example!

[@richardtaylor446]

Thanks for this. I’m a freshman at Notre dame and I think these are the questions I’ve been wrestling with for most of the semester. It’s definitely been hard to justify taking time to do nothing/relax, but I’ve been getting better at it. From the video it seems like Stanford is probably more intense but definitely a lot of the same themes in the culture here.

[@axle_le]

Thank you so much for watching! And ooh, I'm always really excited to hear about how this experience relates to people at other colleges. I hope you find a balance that works for you :)

[@koheifoss]

The first sequence feels ironic but there's also a twinge of truth that I find when I think about it as more than just a joke. I love everything that I'm doing but am finding it harder than ever to just do less but better and be satisfied. Thanks for reminding me that efficiency is an infinite pursuit but happiness doesn't have to be.

[@axle_le]

Ahhh I'm so thankful you found that relatable, and while it's definitely meant to be ironic, I do think there's a lot of truth to it. And I think what you said sums up my video really well! I love that.

[@mayaguerriero9702]

thank you for sharing this, I love the video and its so nice to hear that other people struggle with the same things I do.

[@axle_le]

Thanks so much for the nice words :)

[@rileyfeng5721]

this is so real

[@axle_le]

HAHAH thank you riley!!

[@yassineyassine-wp7ko]

Man thank you! You reminded me of how important it is to be happy today.

[@Doomie240]

this is an awesome monologue. I'm glad that you found the time to make this video

[@axle_le]

Ahhh thank you so much, I've always been particularly proud of my monologueing abilities XD I appreicate the compliment a lot

[@flumpo1615]

thank you, this video means a lot

[@axle_le]

Not as much as comment means to me :)

[@amyguan8417]

fire video alex!!! honestly too relatable - duck syndrome is real fs 😭

[@amyguan8417]

alsooo strawberry and mango bingsoo part two pls 🙏

[@axle_le]

@@amyguan8417 YES OFC THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AMYYYYYYYY

[@gesangvoll520]

Came across this thanks to youtube recommendation. This video is a true gem. It is priceless. It resonates so much. Thank you Alex!!

[@foggycraw6758]

I dont care about fun. Im tired of being a loser. Grinding is a temporary condition that yeilds long term results. "Slowing down" means losing momentum. Its easier to slow down than speed up so speed is better

[@scottjackson163]

I completed a masters degree in Political Science at Stanford (1981). Between the ages of 12-15, I led a dissolute life. Nobody who knew me when I was in high school could have imagined that by age 21 I would gain admission to Stanford (and Brown). There is a sense in which I pulled the end around, had my fun, mostly ignored academics, and still won the big prize. I don’t recommend my path to anyone. I got lucky.

[@axle_le]

Congrats!

[@davidnguyen2438]

Bro this is fantastic, i love you

[@kennycepeda8578]

As a freshman here must admit, hit the nail on the coffin

[@axle_le]

Glad you found it relatable :) take it easy

[@justmichaelhernandez]

You should consider submitting this to a ted talk application.

[@MsRoseCatcher]

Ahh man. It really did feel like everyone was so on top of their shit while I was drowning at university so I can relate. Do whatever makes you happy, don’t try be the next Elon Musk because it might not even be worth it

[@axle_le]

For sure! And I'm really glad you could relate to anything in the video, that's why I make them :)

[@strykeplaysmcjohnpickhypix1205]

@Alex le how much hustle-culture are most students at Stanford? I know Stanford has what I need academically, but not sure if it has what I need socially. Here’s what I need socially: being able to be in a socially active environment where meeting people is easy, lots of activities (preferable non-mainstream activities; NOT just getting food or shopping. Non mainstream for me looks like dance parties, student hosted concerts, open mic night, anything in SF), and actually having ppl who want to spend time together rather than studying all day. Basically, my only concern with Stanford is its social scene b/c everyone’s too busy? What do you think of its social scene?

[@axle_le]

Ah great question, I think Stanford itself is pretty isolated in its own bubble. It's a lot more work to get off campus than you would think, but I think you get out of it the work you're willing to put in. There's definitely stuff on campus, it just depends how much you go out of your way to find it. In my opinion, thoguh, the social scene here is not incredible by any means, but its not bad.

[@lauradavanzo9079]

You should interview people around campus☺

[@axle_le]

That's always been a goal of mine! I'd love to have some podcast type set up and get to have in depth interviews with people

[@joshleenaclan]

💯

[@axle_le]

Thank you!

[@qazmko22]

I wonder is Stanford is harder or easier then it used to be... based on how many Stanford people complain about the hustle culture... it's must be harder.

[@ayalurr765]

are u coming to this winter retreat?

[@axle_le]

no :(

[@ayalurr765]

@@axle_le man

[@IrisPeng]

smh olivia, think of a better startup idea

[@axle_le]

HAHAH for real -- I was honestly dissapointed