'Laziness Does Not Exist' and Other Realities of Productivity Culture

Synopsis: Dr. Devon Price, is a social psychologist, writer, activist, and professor at Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Price’s work has appeared in numerous publications such as Slate, The Rumpus, NPR, and HuffPost and has been featured on the front page of Medium numerous times. In their book Laziness Does Not Exist, Price insists that we stop trying to work harder. In fact, the millennial obsession with “productivity,” both in and out of the office, only makes us feel worse. When they see a student failing to complete assignments, missing deadlines, or not delivering results in other aspects of their life, they're moved to ask: what are the situational factors holding this student back? What needs are currently not being met? And, when it comes to behavioral “laziness,” they're especially moved to ask: what are the barriers to action that I can’t see?

There are always barriers. Recognizing those barriers— and viewing them as legitimate — is often the first step to breaking “lazy” behavior patterns. Dr. Devon Price argues that what seems like laziness is often a sign of overwork, trauma, or mental health struggle. In this dialogue, you will learn how to apply the principles of the book to the workplace with a focus on academic environments. Additionally, Dr. Price will spotlight how LGBTQ communities are uniquely oppressed and disadvantaged by ‘The Laziness Lie’ and how that plays out in personal and professional settings.