[sergeyfomkin]

A lot of what we call work today really is just performative. As long as people stay busy, no one questions where the value goes. AI just makes it harder to hide the fact that so much of the system runs on keeping people occupied instead of actually improving their lives.

[exe34]

> so much of the system runs on keeping people occupied instead of actually improving their lives

Could you give some examples outside of government? I would imagine the wealth owners would cut those jobs pretty quickly? I've always been told that private enterprise was so much more efficient and good at cutting waste.

[sergeyfomkin]

Absolutely. Take Google or Meta — both have gone through rounds of layoffs while still keeping thousands in roles focused on alignment, planning, or internal coordination. McKinsey and other big consultancies often produce reports with minimal new insight, tailored mostly to justify executive decisions. Even in finance, layers of middle office and compliance roles exist not because they’re strictly needed, but because no one wants to take on institutional risk. These aren’t government jobs — they’re high-paid, private-sector roles that persist because the system values control and optics just as much as output.

[exe34]

> tailored mostly to justify executive decisions

> they’re high-paid, private-sector roles that persist because the system values control and optics just as much as output

Sounds like you've answered your own question - these jobs are needed for the system to work. They're not "extra".