The Discontent with Traditional Employment

While some individuals may find purpose in their jobs, a staggering 85% of the workforce expresses dissatisfaction. Even prior to the pandemic, many were searching for ways to leave their traditional jobs, pursue self-employment, or retire early. The growth of the gig economy and the rise of remote work clearly indicate that a significant portion of the population is unhappy with conventional 9-to-5 roles.

Economists often engage in circular discussions about the "Covid-19 Labor Shortage" and its detrimental effects on the economy, but they overlook a critical point: labor shortages are a perpetual condition.

A Constant Reality

For as long as humanity exists, there will invariably be a shortage of labor. To suggest that the current situation is unprecedented ignores the fact that labor shortages have always existed. The demand for labor is essentially limitless.

Consider any ambitious goal humanity might aspire to achieve:

• Improving global well-being
• Establishing a sustainable society
• Extending life expectancy
• Colonizing other planets

All these objectives require labor, whether physical or intellectual. Labor is fundamental to existence itself.

Labor as the Essence of Life

From the simplest bacteria to towering redwoods and humans, all life forms sustain themselves through labor. Bacteria work to build their cellular structures, trees grow to capture sunlight, and humans labor to secure food and shelter. Every organism—be it bacteria, fungi, plants, or animals—relies on labor for survival.

Economists often treat labor as a mere commodity, akin to oil or wheat. However, this perspective is fundamentally flawed. An economy thrives on the production of goods and services, and economic growth hinges on increasing these outputs.

The Unique Capacity of Humanity

Human beings uniquely influence the world because we have learned to harness fossil fuels to amplify our labor. A barrel of oil can equate to approximately 23,000 hours of human work. Moreover, we have access to the sun's limitless energy, which is essential for any sustainable future.

We have also created machinery and artificial intelligence capable of performing a diverse range of tasks—from self-driving vehicles to automated manufacturing. These advancements are gradually replacing traditional jobs.

The Equation of Abundance

If we could tap into cheap and plentiful labor, we would unlock the potential to accomplish virtually anything. Technological advancements have significantly enhanced human quality of life, providing us with abundant food, clean water, healthcare, and more.

Our technological progress is ultimately constrained by our access to labor and energy. With inexpensive and plentiful resources, we could easily tackle challenges like food and water scarcity or even space colonization.

The Path Forward

Achieving abundant labor hinges on advancements in robotics, automation, and AI, while abundant energy can be derived from solar, wind, and nuclear sources. Yet, the creation of better technologies also requires more labor and energy.

The cycle continues: labor and energy are the foundation of our progress.