Society conditions individuals to equate their self-worth with their jobs, prompting questions about professional roles instead of personal identity. This mindset prioritizes productivity, often leading to burnout and despair when faced with job fluctuations. Generations such as Gen Z and Alpha place greater emphasis on work-life balance and mental health, challenging traditional notions of career advancement. The rise of AI and automation may provoke a reassessment of this relationship with work, revealing a fear of becoming 'useless' that underscores the belief that productivity equals purpose.
Society has long conditioned us to tie our self-worth to our utility in the workforce. From childhood, we're asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" as if our future essence boils down to a job title.
Fear of becoming 'useless' reveals how deeply we've internalized the myth that productivity equals purpose. We prioritize prestige over pay, chasing titles that sound impressive at cocktail parties.
Gen Z and Alpha prioritize work-life balance and mental health over career advancement. AI automation may force a positive reckoning with our overidentification with employment and productivity.
We've been brainwashed into believing our work defines us, and perhaps AI's disruption could finally snap us out of it.
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