I spent over 500 hours researching and writing this article. Those 500 hours were spent reading through dozens of books/studies in 10+ fields (history, economics, technology, philosophy of science, manufacturing, management, sociology, investing, innovation). I spent so much time because the topic was both much more interesting and complicated than I originally thought. And, as is the case with all of my writing on Medium, I use the blockbuster philosophy. This means I don’t click publish unless I think it is one of the best articles that has been written on the topic.
As a result of going through the research process, I will never think about productivity in the same way. What I learned blew my mind over and over, and I hope it does the same for you as the reader.
Interesting article. The why of it and the why we should care stood out.
“Not redistributing the gains of productivity properly” seems to be at the top of many people’s minds nowadays and, at least, a major psychological roadblock to individual desire to enhance productivity.
Also, is there a place to question a way to decrease the need for further productivity? The best way to reduce landfills is not further technological breakthroughs, for instance, but upheaving a system that produces more goods than necessary
Also, is there a place to question a way to decrease the need for further productivity
Sure. Feel free to live the life of an ascetic yourself and fuck off while everyone else enjoys the material world.
i think the point is that not everyone is able to enjoy it.
And as a said, those people are free to go live by their own standards.
