Breaking free from Sisyphean tasks

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a king condemned by the Gods to continually roll a huge rock uphill - before he could reach the top, the rock would slip out of his grasp, roll downhill, and we would have to start all over again.

So, the phrase Sisyphean task refers to pointless or never-ending activities. Why do I bring this up? Returning to America after 18 odd-months overseas, I feel Americans are stuck doing jobs that are great for increasing national GDP but terrible for personal well-being. Production efficiencies have made many people economically redundant - but, people are engaged than ever before - stuck at jobs doing useless, paper-shuffling, meeting-hogging grunt-busy-work.

The challenge is to find work that is life and soul-enhancing after breaking free from this pointless job trap...but first, there's a need to realize that one is walking in the steps of Sisyphus.

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.
-- John Adams