Reading this passage “No in the long term: the new work and the corrosion of character” by the sociologist Richard Sennett, which appeared for the first seen in The Personal Consequences of Work in New Capitalism (1998); begins by arguing that today's work ethic is very different from that of past generations. Sennett believes that in past generations things were long-term while today they are short-term, which leads to a conflict between character and experience. Reading it broadened my opinion on how many changes have happened in such a short period of time regarding work ethic. Without a doubt, Sennett has a compelling educational background; being professor of Literature and Philosophy at New York University and the London School of Economics. Perhaps this is why his writing is easy to understand, giving the reader the feeling of being almost instructive. Sennett has done a quality job showing no bias towards either generation, but suggests he leans more towards today with economic progress. Sennett describes the contrast of stability between Henry and his son Rico. Enrico is a janitor who has a pension, the security of a job within a union, along with the peace of mind of knowing where his life will end in the world of work. On the other hand, Rico having moved four times since graduating, brings with him the feeling of losing control, with no fixed role in what he is responsible for regarding work, as well as no security in his current job. Sennett makes a great thoughtful point about time: “How can long-term goals be pursued in a short-term society…How can a human being develop a narrative of identity and life history in a society composed of episodes and fragments (226) ?” I think his conclusion is reasonable that history is what shapes us, ...... at the heart of the paper ... both today and for generations past. The author has provided a comprehensive amount of evidence on human behavior, demographics, social class. I would have liked to see some experts say that today's generation lacks character because of the workplace. In other words, it seems to me that the passage comes more from a sociological point of view than demonstrated with empirical research. I believe that Sennett's focus is excessive on the personal consequences of work and not on the social ones. It could also have included more information about the social effects resulting from our lack of stability. Work cited Behrens, Laurence and Leonard J. Rosen. Writing and reading through the curriculum. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print. September 11, 2011Sago, Brad. Uncommon Discussions: Repairing the Generation Gap. Executive Update, July 2000. Web.September 12. 2011.