(2013-09-13) Thompson Why Do So Many Rich People Work So Much

Derek Thompson: Why Do So Many Rich People Work So Much? Elite men in the U.S. are the world’s chief workaholics. They work longer hours (work-week) than poorer men in the U.S. and rich men in other advanced countries. In the last generation, they have reduced their leisure time by more than any other demographic.

overall leisure has increased, but it’s the less-skilled poor who are soaking up all the free time, even though they would have the most to gain from working. Why?

Here are three theories.

1. The availability of attractive work for poor men (especially black men) is falling, as the availability of cheap entertainment is rising.

2. Social forces cultivate a conspicuous industriousness (even workaholism) among affluent college graduates.

In a widely shared essay in the Wall Street Journal last week, Hilary Potkewitz hailed 4 a.m. as "the most productive hour."

While some of the hardest-working rich Americans certainly love their jobs, it’s also likely that America’s secular religion of industriousness is a kind of pluralistic ignorance.

3. Leisure is getting “leaky.”

leisure activity is leaking into work, and work, too, is leaking into leisure.