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> They shouldn't boo the amazing technology, but instead cheer for this liberation from toil

Come on, we're all adults and well-aware that if companies find a way to make people more productive, it just means they'll expect more, not that we'll get more free-time.

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Both sides are at fault here, no? A consumer could work part-time and live as well or even much better as someone 50 years ago, but they largely don't want to. I do concede of course that housing is a bit limiting factor here and my "just adapt your lifestyle" doesn't fully hold.

Can they?

In most places with any sort of economic opportunity, I have a very hard time believing that part time earnings would get you housing on par with a full time earner in 1976.

They cant. Tech workers are just disconnected from real wages. Most people I know spend easily 40-60% of their monthly income on rent alone (if you're in University it'll be easily 80%+), all work full time. And thats in Europe, where living costs usually are much lower than in America. Some people just never leave their privileged circle and assume most people could get there somehow. I for sure couldn't afford a 50% pay cut. (4000€ pre tax, ~2500€ post tax) This doesnt even get me a good flat in Germany.

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