Tim Jackson, a professor of sustainable development, considers productivity overrated. For one thing, he says, our emphasis on productivity increases unemployment: Since increased productivity, by definition, means greater output from the same (or fewer) inputs, then, as productivity grows, fewer inputs are needed. And for "inputs," read "employees." Jackson says we should rethink our commitment to ever-increasing productivity, and instead focus our energies on improving those sectors of the economy in which increased efficiency is not the best way to measure value--sectors like healthcare, the arts, and education. Furthermore, a renewed commitment to craftsmanship--valuing quality over quantity--could lead to greater employment and, indeed, greater human satisfaction.
But what does he know? He's British! I bet he'd love to see America slack off: That's what Brits have been waiting for since 1776! We relinquish our productivity advantage, next thing you know, we'll all be speaking. . . whatever language they speak in Britain!
Since its inception, this blog has been produced with a commitment to ever-increasing efficiency. Every day, I type for one hour, whether I have anything to say or not, and I have increased the number of words typed by over 17% over the last three years. Furthermore, when I have a point to make, I have striven to say it in the most efficient way possible, efforts that probably reached their culmination in my celebrated post of August 14, 2010, reprinted here in its entirety:
Kumquats!
Efficiency overrated indeed!
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