I think you make his point. In feudal societies, the majority of the people were stuck in devoting their lives to survival-oriented tasks, while only a privileg

I think you make his point. In feudal societies, the majority of the people were stuck in devoting their lives to survival-oriented tasks, while only a privileged few could dedicate themselves to higher pursuits. And let's not forget that traditionally "STEM" was also reserved to the leisure classes. Now, in 2018, we have unthinkable prosperity compared to the feudal era. And yet, there is now this constant political pressure to get rid of the middle-class and have most people dedicate their lives to survival (a.k.a. "employability"). Don't take a year off work or it will look weird on your CV! Don't let the kids play freely, they must prepare for their Ivy League admissions! Etc, etc. Isn't it the main purpose of technology to free humanity of labor, so that we can pursue higher interests? And yet, technology seems to demand that everyone works for technology now. Must have a fucking STEM degree! (I do, btw). Weird, no?