## Working Past 100: A Hacker News Discussion A recent *New York Times* article about Japanese workers continuing employment well past traditional retirement age sparked a discussion on Hacker News. The conversation quickly broadened beyond cultural differences, focusing on the varying experiences of work itself. Initial comments highlighted the joy of self-directed craft work versus the potential for burnout in corporate environments. However, many users countered that even corporate jobs *can* be fulfilling, but are increasingly susceptible to disruptive changes – mergers, leadership shifts, and evolving expectations – that can quickly turn a positive experience negative. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes of long careers impacted by instability, while others pointed out that some individuals are driven to continue working not by passion, but by financial need, addiction to routine, or the social status afforded by their profession. The discussion ultimately concluded that neither all crafts are idyllic, nor all corporations hellish, and that work often becomes deeply intertwined with personal identity and structure.