It’s not so much work as having purpose. Something to motivate you to get out and do is what’s key. Work is an easy substitute, and many define themselves by their job role. Once that motivating force is gone, one suffers. You see this in the late fifties to early sixties crew with empty nesters, retirees, silver divorces, and so on.
Not so sure about your premise. I am recently retired and greatly enjoying not working. Of course I’m only one person but I’m also Australian and not a product of American culture that frowns on a lack of productivity and seems to hitch people’s psyches to externalized reward on a treadmill of achievement where you are never quite enough or could be doing more. I’ve lived in both Australia and North America. Rewards can be found in savouring life and living in the moment especially when it entails sunshine, the ocean, à good coffee and good company. The work treadmill is significantly over valued in North American culture. Just my two cents worth.
Isn't the increased suicide risk from being laid off likely to be about loss of esteem compared to others? Perhaps mass worklessness would be bad, but it would lack that element.
The only ones who seem to be cheering on the advent of AI are people like Marc Andreesen who stand to profit greatly by owning the machines that have taken the work from the humans.
The trouble with doing nothing to you never know when you’re done.
It’s not so much work as having purpose. Something to motivate you to get out and do is what’s key. Work is an easy substitute, and many define themselves by their job role. Once that motivating force is gone, one suffers. You see this in the late fifties to early sixties crew with empty nesters, retirees, silver divorces, and so on.
Not so sure about your premise. I am recently retired and greatly enjoying not working. Of course I’m only one person but I’m also Australian and not a product of American culture that frowns on a lack of productivity and seems to hitch people’s psyches to externalized reward on a treadmill of achievement where you are never quite enough or could be doing more. I’ve lived in both Australia and North America. Rewards can be found in savouring life and living in the moment especially when it entails sunshine, the ocean, à good coffee and good company. The work treadmill is significantly over valued in North American culture. Just my two cents worth.
The trouble with doing nothing is you never get when you’re done.
Isn't the increased suicide risk from being laid off likely to be about loss of esteem compared to others? Perhaps mass worklessness would be bad, but it would lack that element.
The only ones who seem to be cheering on the advent of AI are people like Marc Andreesen who stand to profit greatly by owning the machines that have taken the work from the humans.