IDL how everyone's pushing "side hustles" like having two jobs is aspirational

My Uber driver has four jobs. Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Etsy printables. He said it like a flex.

We call this entrepreneurship now. It used to be "follow your passion." Now it's "grind 80 hours or you're lazy."

My friend does "social media consulting" after her 9-to-5. Six months, $3,000. After taxes, maybe $1,200. She asked for a raise first. They said no. Now she's burned out and her employer still pays the same.

"Don't wait for permission to succeed." I'm waiting for fair pay. "Multiple income streams protect you." From what, my employer not paying enough?

Teachers drive Uber after school. Nurses pick up shifts on top of side hustles. This isn't entrepreneurship. It's survival with a motivational caption.

"You have the same 24 hours as Beyoncé." Yeah, minus the team of 50 and personal chef.

Companies figured out they can keep wages low if workers believe underpay is normal and the fix is more jobs. Cost of living rises, wages don't, and the answer is work more forever. Burnout? Your fault for bad "energy management."

Side hustles aren't bad. But when they become code for "second job to survive," we've lost it. When advice for money struggles is "start a business" not "demand better pay," something's broken.