In 1930, the economistAn expert in economics, the study of wealth and how it is produced and consumed. John Maynard KeynesOne of the most influential economists of the 20th Century, best known for his Keynesian economic theories on the causes of unemployment. imagined that by the year 2030, people in some rich countries would only work for 15 hours per week.

With just six years left to go, it does not seem likely. In fact, some people boast on social media of their "grindset" and working for up to 100 hours per week. So what has changed?

For most of history we believed that work was shameful. MediaevalRelating to the Middle Ages. nobles took pride in the fact that they did not work.

But by the 19th Century Britain a factory worker would work for 12-14 hours a day. In response, workers demandedAsked for forcefully. shorter hours. That is how we ended up with today's maximum 40-hour week.

The problem today, many think, is that while shop and service workers are working as hard as ever, most office workers find they have less and less to do.

That is because technology has reduced the time it takes to do any given task.

Some think it is time to make Keynes's guess come true. They say that if people had more time, they could spend more time on creative activities and ideas.

But others think this is a bad idea. They say a job gives people a sense of identity and a role in life.

Is hard work a vice?

Yes! Technology should have given us more free time. Instead, many people spend hours doing pointless work. It is time to spend more time slacking.

No! Work gives us routineSomething you do regularly and consistently - for example, you might go for a walk before breakfast every day. , structure, and a sense of meaning. If some jobs feel pointless then we should get rid of those, not cut everyone's working hours.