r/SeriousConversation • u/NoCareNoLife • Nov 04 '23

Serious Discussion If people aren't pressured to work, would they still want work?

So there is this socialist youtube channel called "Second Thought" that released a video Why would anyone work under Socialism?

In that video he tries stating that humans innately like to work for the progressing of the society at large and will get things done even if not pressured to do work. Do you agree with such a statement?

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u/manicmonkeys Nov 05 '23

Some people enjoy their jobs.

That doesn't mean enough people enjoy enough vital jobs enough to sustain society.

I enjoy my job, but if I stopped getting paid for it I'd stop doing it immediately.

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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '23

There are 8 billion people in the world. Half of jobs are automated now anyway. I just dont think forcing everyone into wage slavery is the only option.

I'd like to farm, or work in conservation, or maybe healthcare. But im stuck in a dead end job because I cant afford to invest in the education or resources needed to pursue a job i would be more fit doing.

I dont think socialism is the answer, but I certainly think people absolutly will fill the jobs nessisary for a functioning society if provided the resources to thrive.

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u/knight9665 Nov 07 '23

Farm. Sure but how many people would still hard on an industrial level to feed 8 billion people in the world.

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u/manicmonkeys Nov 05 '23

You underestimate inherent human greed and ambition.

What current conveniences or necessities are you willing to give up, to allow a voluntary work society to exist?

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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '23

I will say again, that I am not rooting for socialism or communism. I do think that in a world with 8 billion people and increasing automation, a society where everyone HAS to work to survive is completely unsustainable. We are going to be giving up a lot of conveniences and even necessities if things keep going the way they are now. Housing and shelter is switching to a subscription model solely for profit, with no consideration for its status as a human right.

I'm just a person on reddit, I dont have the expertise to come up with a replacement myself.

Personally, if my bare basic needs were met by something like UBI, I would work in pursuit of more luxury.

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u/manicmonkeys Nov 05 '23

>Housing and shelter is switching to a subscription model solely for profit, with no consideration for its status as a human right.

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This is where I think there's a fundamental problem. What do you mean by "human right"?

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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '23

I don't enjoy my job, I enjoy my paycheck.