Maynard Keynes's prediction of 15-hour work week, as with economists' prediction, fails to take into consideration the nature of man.If he was content with riding a horse at the speed of 20 miles an hour, a significant improvement from walking and running, then there would be no cars, trains or ships. If he was happy with driving a car, there would be no aeroplanes, allowing cross-continent travelling in under one day.
He wasn't happy having a normal meal in order to subsist - he would yearn for a michelin-starred 17-course menu. Normal garment wasn't good enough, he preferred brands, designers and 'styles'.
Education at primary level where you will know literacy and numeracy in order to live in a modern world wasn't enough for some, therefore the invention of secondary, tertiary, postgraduate education, doctorate and higher doctorate.
He wasn't happy achieving what he could achieve in a 3-hour day. He either wanted to be ahead or was peer pressured to. If he belonged to an organisation, his employer would require maximum 'output' for their pay. They expect workers to be 'online' at home, during leave and be constantly updated of developments. The key is to not come of the treadmill as otherwise it would be a long way to catch up with others. If he was self-employed, he would be a little bit more lucky as he could choose whether to work less, earn less but enjoy life more or try to enjoy being on the treadmill like corporate workers.
It is human nature to want to be better than his neighbours, hence the league tables, rankings, competitions and playing the systems.
