There are many basic social needs that aren't being met for a majority of the population because so much time and energy has to go towards merely surviving. I think people who have a vested interest in this paradigm overestimate how much the average person "needs" work for "social mobility and purpose", versus, say, companionship, community, education, curiosity, housing stability, etc. Maybe they're afraid that people will realize that the rat race and daily grind don't fill the hole, but stuff that doesn't cost money or that is difficult to profit from do.