Why community joy is a dirty job you need to try | Jerome Moore | TEDxNashville

Quick Overview

Jerome Moore argues that joy is not the opposite of struggle, but rather a necessary, actionable strategy—a "dirty job"—that communities must actively cultivate, similar to public utility services, to build resilience and humanity, especially in facing systemic injustice and personal trauma.

Key Points: Moore asserts that joy is not merely a feeling, but an intentional, actionable strategy—a "dirty job"—that requires proactive effort. He references the TV show "Dirty Jobs" featuring Mike Rowe, highlighting that essential, often overlooked work (like sewage inspection or garbage collection) is crucial, analogizing joy to these foundational community utilities. Moore shares a personal story about his parents' divorce around age seven, which created a sense of incompleteness, contrasting the visible struggles with the lack of visible joy. Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley supports that joy decreases stress, improves decision-making, and increases resilience in communities facing trauma. He challenges the audience to stop treating joy as a luxury or something to be celebrated only after work is done, but as a necessity that must be built into the work itself. Moore encourages listeners to actively foster joy in their communities by engaging in conversations about joy (with friends, family, or even foes) and building solutions for it, regardless of resources.

Context: Jerome Moore delivers this TEDxNashville talk focusing on the critical role of 'joy' as an active, necessary component for community strength and personal well-being, rather than viewing it as a passive emotional outcome. He frames the cultivation of joy as essential work—a 'dirty job'—that must be intentionally integrated into daily life and community organizing, especially when dealing with systemic issues like injustice and personal hardship like divorce.

Detailed Analysis

Jerome Moore delivers a passionate argument that joy is not the passive opposite of struggle, but an active, essential component for community health and individual resilience. He begins by referencing the TV show "Dirty Jobs," comparing the crucial yet often unheralded work of community service professionals (like sewage inspectors) to the necessary work of cultivating joy. Moore shares a personal anecdote about his parents' divorce when he was seven, which left him feeling incomplete because while he witnessed struggle, he didn't see joy being prioritized. He argues that society often focuses only on what is wrong (crises, politics, injustice) and neglects the positive force of joy. Moore cites research from UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center confirming that joy decreases stress, improves decision-making, and increases community resilience against trauma. He urges the audience to stop treating joy as a luxury or a reward for finished work, but as a necessity that must be intentionally integrated into the work itself—building joy into the mission. His call to action is for everyone to actively engage in conversations about joy and build solutions for it within their spheres of influence, whether personal or communal, to foster stronger, healthier communities.