One would only expect employers to push our buttons so as to march to their tune, this is not a conspiracy theory, but a human characteristic of passive manipulation -- In the end we must live under a system of some sort -- we cannot just all build fortresses and take prisoners -- nor be socialists, a system that has been found wanting historically -- and actually causes more hair fallout and skin discoloring than capitalism -- --thus, we must invert the manipulations that are thrust upon us to make them work for us as individuals -- ¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯ -- when in Rome do as the Romans do -- as it were -- but as you say Jessey, don't expect the answers to come from self-help gurus -- -- Great article, Jessey -- you bring up many valid points that need consideration, as always!