[o09rdk]

In the US, you have heights of inequality, underemployment, and rampant rent-seeking monopolies, along with ageism.

In my experience, among those who are employed and paid well, the hours are often brutal and huge sacrifices are being asked.

Then as a society we pretend it's all a meritocracy and if you are just talented enough and hard working enough it will work out. If it doesn't, it's your fault. Says the survivors.

Is it any surprise so many are tuning out?

It's cliche that's nevertheless true, but for many the system is rigged and it's looking more like that all the time. If you feel like it's all a rigged game why deign to play it at all?

I worry that the focus on basic income etc and loss of labor jobs is kind of missing the point: a lot of these individuals could and would work if the right social contracts were in place, and people were really allowed to provide what they are capable of in a competitive market.