6.10: The Future of Something Like Work

The end of work, post-work, universal basic income—and a more hopeful frame than these.

Economists, guilt-ridden Silicon Valley inventors and investors, and others have been looking at the future of work. One possible conclusion? That it’s going away. We don’t think that’s quite right—and we don’t think it would be good if it did. Not exactly, anyway.

• current US unemployment rate
• Tolkien on subcreation: see his essay On Fairy-Stories
• notes on J. S. Bach’s reception over time
• Previous episodes
  • 3.13: Inevitable? – Self-driving cars, the limits of technology, and the tension between the personal and the communal.
  • 3.07: One Size Does Not Fit All – Amazon’s workplace culture as a view into corporate ethics and responsibility

• “Forever” by The Gray Havens. Used by permission.
• “Winning Slowly Theme” by Chris Krycho.

Many thanks to the people who help us make this show possible by their financial support! This month’s sponsors:

• Kurt Klassen
• Jake Grant
• Jeremy W. Sherman

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