Not P but Moby-Dick (99)

[Johnny Marr]

In a broader sense, could ‘Work by the profit’ refer to mercenary
pragmatism? The sentence seems to refer to various working routines

By the month - those who prioritise comforting routines within a secure
regular line of employment

By the job - those who prioritise job satisfaction, or creative or
ideological pursuits

By the profit - those who work for the highest bidder

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Mark Kohut <mark.kohut at gmail.com> wrote:

> a share of the whaling haul. Called a lay.
>
> Each man received a “lay,” or percentage of the profits, instead of wages,
> the size depending upon his status. The captain earned the ...
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> On Wed, Apr 3, 2024 at 2:14 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
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> > From Chapter 126:
> >
> > We work by the month, or by the job, or by the profit; not for us to ask
> > the why and wherefore of our work, unless it be too confounded cobbling,
> > and then we stash it if we can.
> >
> > What does "work by the profit" mean exactly?
> > --
> > Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
> >
> --
> Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
>