But why do we work hard? For ourselves, or for others? Are we necessarily growing as individuals when we do this hard work? Is the work that we do valuable even if it's not actually needed, even though it's profitable?
I think we as a society have completely misunderstood work. We think of work as wage labour, while in reality work should be something that needs to get done, or makes the world a better place. Like nurses, or musicians. We have a system that creates redundant complexities that creates jobs, but meaningless work. Like advertising, patent trolls, public relations consultants, etc.
People should do what they like,and what's meaningful to them. Most of the hard and dangerous work can be done by robots anyway. Working hard as a code of honour/norm sounds like a puritan work ethic.
Most people are not lazy, and really want to contribute, and most people have things they are passionate about.
This is why I believe in a post-scarcity society.
Let the robots and computers work, the humans will share the little work that's left.
And have time to be humans, time to play. To love, to philosophize, to make art, to be alive.
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We work hard at what must be done out of honor, and we understand the meaning of sacrifice.
If people think a thing must be done, then they will do it. If the wolf must hunt the deer, then it shall be done.
If the stone must be moved, then it shall be done.
If there is no work to do, then nothing shall be done.
What people seek is a purpose. If we had work to do, and we built a machine to do it, that doesn't mean we had nothing to do. It means we did it.
So you're right.
Play, love, philosophy, art, and all the things that make us happy. That's what must be done.