>I wonder if this had to do with the fact that in modern society, we often have to go through great mental loops to convince ourselves that our jobs are meaningful.
Especially since a lot of them are not.
It's often corporations acting as middlemen and extracting value like parasites, bussiness making bullshit for conspicuous consumption, modern mega-bloated bureaucracy and busy work
Was it ever any different? I’m very skeptical that there was ever a time when the average person did personally meaningful and constructive work.
I think we all have this sense that life should be nothing but personal fulfillment, and anything getting in the way of that is a problem. And maybe it’s even true that that’s how things “should” be, but I really don’t think it ever has been.
What about when the majority of people were farmers. Growing and harvesting your own food so you don't die this coming winter seems about as meaningful and constructive as it gets.
Were the majority of people ever farmers who were entirely self-sufficient, and not producing food for the local gentry or warlord or whatever? Genuinely curious, was there a time when the majority of humans were self sufficient, enjoyed the fruits of their own labor, were not conscripted into tribal / feudal / corporate endeavors?
In the same way digging ditches and then filling them up isn't meaningful. Creating things that last for a year or two, creating food that leaves you hungry, drinks that leave you thirsty. Designing things just to create work instead of value.
I think that they are talking specifically about conspicuous consumption. That is: consuming things just to display to society that you have the resources to consume them.
Especially since a lot of them are not.
It's often corporations acting as middlemen and extracting value like parasites, bussiness making bullshit for conspicuous consumption, modern mega-bloated bureaucracy and busy work