Work

James Suzman explores critical themes around the past, present and future of work. Drawing on history and anthropology, he posits a future in which work need not dominate life. Suzman explains his view that artificial intelligence (AI) will increasingly displace workers, and his fear that innate human acquisitiveness – which compels people to work and earn more and more – will destroy civilization.

In 1828, Suzman relates, French mathematician Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis coined the term “travail,” which links work with pain. Today, anything a human, machine or animal does that expends energy is defined as work.