In an inferior age such as this, it is only considered “work” when actions are performed for the sake of moneymaking. So a politician that cons his constituents with false promises to make money is considered to be working while a whistleblower who builds a case against him to expose him is said to be an idler since there is no money to be made. He will be lucky to receive any gratitude.
In other words, con artists who steal the most from and contribute the least to society are considered role models for “successful work,” while upstanding people who contribute the most and receive the least, are considered idlers. A Shakespeare could reincarnate and if he produces great works but does not allow himself to be exploited by a parasitic publishing house, thus remaining unknown to the general public, he would be considered an idler; meanwhile if a talentless hack, like most NYT Bestselling Authors today, uses AI to write yet another stupid self-help book and teams up with a parasitic publishing house to make money and become famous, he will be considered a “successful hard worker.”
Then people sit and wonder why the world has been overrun by parasites while never taking a moment to reflect on the fact that they spent their entire life supporting these parasites.
The ways by which you may get money almost without exception lead downward...Those services which the community will most readily pay for it is most disagreeable to render. You are paid for being something less than a man. The State does not commonly reward a genius any more wisely.
Henry David Thoreau, Life Without Principle, 1863
Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption.”
James A Garfield