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Comment by XorNot | Hacker News Reader

Iain M. Banks always pointed out that the citizens of the Culture definitely had jobs, and that it was important - people want to work, and to feel valuable. This is something we learn over and over again with aid programs. Nobody (in general) likes to feel like they get a handout, they like to feel like they earn it or otherwise contribute something valuable.

To a huge extent, I think we're going to have a problem until we figure out how to address that tension. How do we gainfully employ people, and have their work respected by the rest of society, when we're automating away their jobs in the first place?

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> people want to work, and to feel valuable.

That doesn't translate into "people want to work 50 hours week under constant petty pressure from management". Maybe some people feel valuable if they cook a great meal and share it with friends. Maybe a 2h workday is all what is needed to feel valuable.

There are differences. Some people derive their identity and esteem from their work. Some don't.

For a primitive example of the above in action, try to deprive a German shepherd of a working role. Then do the same with a pug and observe the differences in responses.

That's true, but it's also because we keep pushing the distinction to be "50 hrs or nothing at all". And that's very much the issue: the opportunity to feel valuable, or do that which you see as valuable, is just that: an opportunity. We gateway plenty of that with time-commitment.

>people want to work, and to feel valuable.

Only because most others work and a person's value, or perceived value, is largely tied to them working, their work, etc.

The perceived value comes from essentially not relying on others to work to support you while you don't.

If machines were doing the work and trying to make additional money was optional I don't think the vast majority of people would be opting in. Indeed, it could even be seen as a negative trait if you're one of the few chasing money.

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