I think there are about as many negative reasons for that as are positive ones. Most of the things that were indeed good about 9-5 jobs a generation ago are si

I think there are about as many negative reasons for that as are positive ones. Most of the things that were indeed good about 9-5 jobs a generation ago are simply no longer the case - while all bad things about them are still in. We can't hope to get a pension for the payroll taxes the company pays for us - everyone knows that nearly every single government pension program will be insolvent by the time someone who is 30 now, retires. We won't be like our parents. We mostly can't hope to buy a good house in a mortgage for the salary we get, because the prices are now sky high and to buy a usable house you need enormous sacrifice AND be in the top 5% income - which means infinite rat race with a huge chance to fail, AND you don't stand a chance to make much money on it as it appreciates, like your dad did 30 years ago. And almost no job will be life-long because companies stay big for a much shorter time than duration of one's career these days. You can't depend on your job really. So in a way, every job is closer to consulting 30 years ago now than to full-time 30 years ago, wrt to security and perks it gives you. So why bother? Only thing that's left for the majority of the people to gain happiness out of work is to do something they love doing, and that is almost impossible in a 9-5 workplace because they are toxic by design - they were invented to crush human spirit and make people replaceable robots. And we can't even blame these people much - they aren't losing much because during their lifetimes, almost all 9-5 jobs existing today will be automated away - while most self-employish ones will probably stay. By quitting now, they make themselves better prepared for inevitable future. Personally, i know only a few people who do 9-5 and are not poor (one of them is my ex). Most of the people i know never worked for hire and they are effectively retired ('i'll do something when i feel like it, and it promises a lot of money. maybe') by their 35-40 years.