Why is work the only place one can find purpose and something to do! I personally know dozens of retired folks who have great purpose, are busier than when they were working, and are far more fulfilled. The really depressing concept to me is that you need to work for a living to find purpose in life.
I think you do have a point. I'm pretty obsessive, work is the perfect arena for that, work today being trading. Back in the late '80s when I was playing golf and in a cushy corporate job, golf was an obsession. I think we are all different and need to find our comfort zones in life. Sometimes going outside of course, routine gets boring, change is good. My father had to stop work at 60 because of his second stroke. I was his carer and watched him die slowly inside, until he died at 64. He only had work, the club and the newspapers in his life. I make sure to live a more rounded life, but achievement drives me like nothing else. Golf has a score, so I'm in my comfort zone there.
Or we make great food sources, maybe better than cattle and chickens. If a closed society can produce everything it needs with machines and automation, there is no need for us to work and be productive but all our needs will be provided for. Then, we are not that different than our pets or the food sources we currently produce? A scary thought.
Again people, you can be productive without "working"! Good grief, we need to start a workaholic's anonymous chapter around here.
People want to work because they want to keep up with (one up) the Jones's. Even now without robots the nation could easily survive without 90% of current jobs. What does it take to stay alive and have fun with your neighbours all day long? Basic food, clothing and a roof.
Everyone gets a welfare check, and we all have endless free time. That or there's a civil war. Some kind of terminator scenario.