In 1928, eminent economist
John Maynard Keynes wrote in an essay that in a century the standard
of life in Europe and America would improve so much that people would have a
lot of leisure. By 2028, “our
grandchildren,” wrote Keynes, would have to work only about three hours a day.
The economist was quite
wrong, it seems. 14 years away from his
predicted time, the standard of life
improved, no doubt, but work or work-related activity has increased more than
ever even in the continents he mentioned.
In our own country too, the standard of life has improved
considerably. But we find that the
working hours in offices have increased rather than decreased. In spite of superior technologies like the
computer in place of the typewriter, and rapid communication systems like the
email, we find ourselves busier than people of the previous generation. In fact, people had much more time for
relaxation in the olden days. I
remember how people of my parents’ generation used to spend hours almost every
day chatting and gossiping.
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| Picture: From the Internet |
We have now become so busy
that we don’t even have time to sit idle even while travelling. If you travel by the Delhi Metro trains you
will be amused if not amazed to see almost everyone busy with the mobile phone
or some other gadget or reading books or newspapers. Some of that activity is entertainment, not
work-related; people listen to music or play games on their gadgets. On the whole, however, people are busier than
ever. No one, it seems, has time even to
look at other people let alone communicate with them.
In 1976, psychologist Erich
Fromm wrote in his book, To Have or To Be,
that technological societies foster ‘having orientation’. That is, people want to have a lot of things; they are highly competitive. The ideal would be ‘being orientation’ which
focuses on what one is rather than
what one has.
It seems Fromm is more
correct than Keynes. We have become more
technological and more competitive as well as acquisitive. Since technology is getting better by the day
and more sophisticated and complex too, we can expect people becoming more and
more busy. Commodes may come with an
attachment for the laptop.
Well I wouldn't really mind a 3Hr work schedule ;) :D ..
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the point though, time has certainly become the most expensive commodity!
3 hour schedule would have created another problem, though - what to do with the leisure? On the other hand, now there is no leisure. We are a funny lot, aren't we?
DeleteValid observation, Sir.
ReplyDeleteModern life has proved Keynes wrong. Technology & advancements ought to make life relaxed, no?!
I guess that's what Keynes had imagined: that tech and progress would make life easier. But we humans are beyond intellectual understanding :)
DeleteSo true. I feel like I could do a few more hours to my day.
ReplyDeletePrecisely, most people's problem.
DeleteTrue......desires have no limits...
ReplyDelete... and desire is the cause of sorrow, the Buddha said.
DeleteWho knows ...you may be right.....!
ReplyDeleteNot I, dear Murthy sir. Either Keynes or Fromm. Keyness is out. Fromm is impractical. Alas, nobody is right. We are all seekers at the feet of politicians. Or Babas. or any other frauds.
DeleteOur leisure activities have changed,when people travel in closed spaces they feel its rude to stare at others or start a conversation with a stranger,so we keep busy by catching up with our mail, listen to music or read.Work hours have reduced in the western countries its 5 days a week only and 8 hours of flexible timings It can't be 3 hours thats a little too much Mr.Keynes was expecting from humans.although who would not love that!
ReplyDeleteSir,
ReplyDeletePeople really have no time today. That's because of the 'cut throat' competition prevailing not only in education but in all walks of life. There is a Macro level Marathons and Decathlons run by mankind. Darwin's theory can be revised as: The fittest of all the fittest ones will survive. Right, sir? And that too is because of the whole world having become a small gazebo of communication.
When I read Manish' blog and tried to publish a comment, I got a dialogue box which read: Prove that you are not a robot. (!?...!) To prove so, I had to depend on typing certain numbers displayed over there. Somehow I proved myself a human(?) and the web accepted it and published my comment.
Technology has transformed human life into robotic life. Your blog has proved it in a very scholarly way. As usual, a very interesting read. Thanks.
3 hrs a day..would that not be a dream come true!
ReplyDeletenice read.
A year after I wrote this I have realised that the economist's prediction will be defeated by inefficient administrators who will fill people's time with absurd duties :)
Delete