Letters to the Editor
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kind of missed my own point
I realized after publishing that whole screed that I forgot my central point.
Since we control our own human capital we spend it as we see fit.
This is why the young and old must compete, because the old have no gaurantee against the young and the young owe no fealty to the old.
In a centralized economy or evena union shop, the old can use their established power against the young to keep them in their place, this system only works however as long as the young see benefit in it for themselves. If the young see an opportunity to outshine their elders they do so, to collect rewards and benefits (in what ever fashion they appear, even more time off for example) that are bestowed on them for their extra effort.
The perfect work life balance seems like a good idea on paper, until you ask who must sacrafice so that others can enjoy it. Those that sacrafice will require additional reimbursement for their suffering, that reimbursement leads to a greater requirement from others to keep even.
As individuals we can make a choice about what's important to us, and what we'll sacrafice for, but the system as a whole will always push people in their own self interest to trade more time for more luxury.