This is about it. If you can produce 2x output per worker you’re not going to give each worker half days, you’re going to cut down your workforce until supply once again matches demand. As this cycle repeats jobs become more and more competitive as workers fight for placements at these more efficient firms. They’ll pursue advanced degrees and extra certifications to stand out. This produces a lot of stuff, but ultimately creates a warped standard of living. Higher productivity ironically makes time spent not working or pursuing prerequisites to work more expensive.
There has never been a case of capitalism using improvements in efficiency to let people work less, use fewer resources, etc.
It’s always more, more, more.
This is about it. If you can produce 2x output per worker you’re not going to give each worker half days, you’re going to cut down your workforce until supply once again matches demand. As this cycle repeats jobs become more and more competitive as workers fight for placements at these more efficient firms. They’ll pursue advanced degrees and extra certifications to stand out. This produces a lot of stuff, but ultimately creates a warped standard of living. Higher productivity ironically makes time spent not working or pursuing prerequisites to work more expensive.
As some wise boys said 40 years ago, “you gotta fight, for your right, to party”.