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Some people do enjoy work, find meaning in it, and strive to have successful careers. Does a world without work still provide opportunities for people who want

Some people do enjoy work, find meaning in it, and strive to have successful careers. Does a world without work still provide opportunities for people who want to work? Does it allow people to advance their wealth and social status?

OldGuyInTheClub 3y ago
Or even exercise their hands, minds, and brains?
norir 3y ago
I think another way of framing this is that many people rely on extrinsic motivation and are lost without institutional structure[1]. The question is whether there are other ways to channel that energy without our more traditional work institutions. I don't have the answer. In the past the church was another institution that could serve this need but for both better and worse church institutions are dying rapidly and nothing has really filled the void. [1] to be clear, this isn't about intelligence. I know a billionaire who couldn't bear more than a few weeks without structured work and almost immediately started a new company after already making ~100MM which is why he is now a billionaire.
knodi123 3y ago
I can't imagine a world where you're literally forbidden to perform any work. That someone could even ask that question just boggles my mind. If you had free room and board and healthcare, you would not need to work. But of course you would be free to. Whether it be for someone else, or for yourself, or just to find some non-work activity that gives you meaning and pleasure. That's the point - the freedom to choose, not just a lack of freedom but in the opposite direction.
- goatlover 3y ago
  It's not about being forbidden, it's about all the meaningful work being automated. Sure, anyone in an ideal post-work world would be able to pursue whatever hobbies or interests, but work wouldn't be the same for humans, as nobody needs a person to work.
  - knodi123 3y ago
    In a heavily automated world, you won't be able to get a job building widgets for Ford or IBM - but you will always be able to make hand-made furniture. There may not be jobs for security guards, but there will always be jobs for nursing-home attendants, and school teachers. If you WANT to work, there will always be meaningful things you can do. "All meaningful work" going away is pretty unimaginable to me. And if that's what you're imagining, then IMO you've gone way past the realm of reasonable speculation and into fantasy.

OldGuyInTheClub 3y ago

Or even exercise their hands, minds, and brains?

norir 3y ago

I think another way of framing this is that many people rely on extrinsic motivation and are lost without institutional structure[1]. The question is whether there are other ways to channel that energy without our more traditional work institutions. I don't have the answer. In the past the church was another institution that could serve this need but for both better and worse church institutions are dying rapidly and nothing has really filled the void. [1] to be clear, this isn't about intelligence. I know a billionaire who couldn't bear more than a few weeks without structured work and almost immediately started a new company after already making ~100MM which is why he is now a billionaire.

knodi123 3y ago

I can't imagine a world where you're literally forbidden to perform any work. That someone could even ask that question just boggles my mind. If you had free room and board and healthcare, you would not need to work. But of course you would be free to. Whether it be for someone else, or for yourself, or just to find some non-work activity that gives you meaning and pleasure. That's the point - the freedom to choose, not just a lack of freedom but in the opposite direction.

goatlover 3y ago
It's not about being forbidden, it's about all the meaningful work being automated. Sure, anyone in an ideal post-work world would be able to pursue whatever hobbies or interests, but work wouldn't be the same for humans, as nobody needs a person to work.
- knodi123 3y ago
  In a heavily automated world, you won't be able to get a job building widgets for Ford or IBM - but you will always be able to make hand-made furniture. There may not be jobs for security guards, but there will always be jobs for nursing-home attendants, and school teachers. If you WANT to work, there will always be meaningful things you can do. "All meaningful work" going away is pretty unimaginable to me. And if that's what you're imagining, then IMO you've gone way past the realm of reasonable speculation and into fantasy.