The line of work can be constructive. We must support ourselves as much as possible. In part this is good, it can also be disastrous for the economy. Workers need companies to work for. Companies need consumers. If everyone were happy and healthy, the companies wouldn't sell very much of the big sellers fast food, candy, tobacco, drugs, guns, alcohol, sex, confectionery... Therefore, the sick and unemployed through their consumption of what worsens their already vulnerable situation are a mainstay in the economy.
Medicines are necessary. But a large part of the drugs needed are the result of health-destroying products like those above. The line of work spoils health.
The market urges us to renew our wardrobe four times a year. Instead, we could have a more timeless fashion with clothes that could be worn for several years. The constantly changing fashion increases clothing consumption. This greatly eats up the world's environment and water resources. The line of work destroys the environment.
Constant product updates to sell more
In addition, technology companies such as car or mobile phone manufacturers do not release all technology at once. They release the technology bit by bit to make the newly new product feel outdated.
Even the stress in society that leads to burnout and other occupational injuries supplies the healthcare sector with patients/consumers. We do need the care sector, but it could care for non-work-related ill health in a better society. Especially the factory floor in the unhealthy production of goods and services creates a record number of users for healthcare. The line of work makes us sick unnecessarily.
Tired employees maintain lower quality
Apart from the fact that stress leads to ill health, it reduces the quality of work performed in many sectors. Tired workers make mistakes. Over-pressured white-collar workers and academics have a harder time coming up with the best solutions and ideas. This is shown by the latest research. The work line reduces quality.
A line of work for too many low-wage jobs can also inhibit the development of automation technology. Such technology could otherwise free people from the heaviest jobs. The ancient Romans and Greeks already had railways and steam engines. However, they only used their machines for play and religious purposes. The reason was that if steam technology were introduced into production, the slaves would have nothing to do. England has cheaper and more reserved labor. England also has a lower degree of automation in working life because of the hard line of work there.
More fossil fuels with hard working line
One of the biggest culprits among the perishable goods that the work line upholds is the extraction and sale of fossil fuels. Instead, we could develop environmentally friendly energy production . Energy is a huge product as all sectors need it for their production. Environmentally friendly energy tends to be free or very cheap. Then it is not possible to make money from this energy. Fossil fuels are the cornerstone of our economy because they cost so much to consume and are such a sought-after product. The highest price is of course our destroyed climate and increasingly deteriorating living conditions. The work line creates unnecessary environmental destruction.
What would happen with increased social security, halved working hours and a larger public sector ? Then we could invest in what is really needed. We could focus on environmentally friendly energy, culture, education, care, affordable and good housing, automation and healthcare at a pace that is human-friendly. We could have rules that technology companies can release new products no earlier than every five years. Then we would have a really new product when it is launched.