{∅, {∅}, {∅, {∅}}} : Rage Against the Meat Grinder

Tell me why does one have the obligation to contribute to society?

I don't know why.  I remember reading Thoreau where he wrote, "I am not responsible for the successful working of the machinery of society."

So,  I went searching for where he said this: see link below.

I found Thoreau On Working Hours at The Simplicity Collective.

We only have a limited amount of time on earth with which to live our lives, and out of self-respect we should not waste that time. Indeed, Thoreau suggested that we should be as covetous of our time as most people are of their money.

During his experiment, Thoreau discovered – and let this give us a moment’s pause – that in living a life of voluntary simplicity he could meet all the expenses of living ‘by working about six weeks in a year.’ This left him with the whole of his winters, as well as most of his summers, ‘free and clear for study.’

Having thus secured his freedom, which is what he sought, he had no reason to envy (and indeed had reason to pity) the ‘successful’ capitalists, merchants, shopkeepers, mechanics, farmers, lawyers, doctors, etc. who were money rich but time poor. In one of his more acidic moments Thoreau even commented that those who spent their time earning superfluous money ‘deserved some credit for not having all committed suicide long ago.’

Their highest duty in life to accumulate colored paper! Does any divinity stir within them?, Thoreau wondered. What are their destinies worth to them compared with coloured paper?

If I should sell both my forenoons and afternoons to society, as most appear to do, I am sure that for me there would be nothing worth left living for…. I wish to suggest that a man may be very industrious, and yet not spend his time well. There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting a living.

"I am not responsible for the successful working of the machinery of society." ~ Civil Disobedience