Comment by david-gpu | Hacker News Reader

Comment by david-gpu | Hacker News Reader

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> My argument is that most people only veg out because they are tired of a hectic work life, but if given the chance to coast for a long time they would find productive work voluntarily and be more inclined to share their work

We have natural experiments of this: retirees, both early and otherwise. Do retirees during the first five years of their retirement "find productive work voluntarily" (your choice of words, not mine) in quantities that are comparable to what they did at work during the five years prior to their retirement? Not exceptional individuals, but on average.

I retired circa five years ago and spend my time doing stuff like walking the dog, drinking coffee and reading books, much like other retirees. My productivity is as close to zero as I can muster, and it is the rule, not the exception.

There's an obvious bias in focusing on retirees though. I mean, the whole notion of retirement exists for a reason.

But also, in all honesty, if we can feed and shelter everyone on the planet with only a small proportion of the population engaged in productive labor, what's the problem with most people walking the dog, drinking coffee, and reading books?

> There's an obvious bias in focusing on retirees though. I mean, the whole notion of retirement exists for a reason.

I see this also among my early retiree friends. People are quite happy just "playing" - gardening, joining a book club, making art, etc.

And I would be, too! There are times I enjoy doing bigger work, but man, I could build quite a delightful life living like a hobbit.

> There's an obvious bias in focusing on retirees though. I mean, the whole notion of retirement exists for a reason.

Go on, please. Whatever argument you make, please account for early retirees as well.

> if we can feed and shelter everyone on the planet with only a small proportion of the population engaged in productive labor

But that is not the premise of the discussion at hand, though. My comment was written in this specific context:

>>> My argument is that most people only veg out because they are tired of a hectic work life, but if given the chance to coast for a long time they would find productive work voluntarily

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