and what happens to the forgotten tribes of people who are living off the land somewhere , completely oblivious to modern Western society?

@DesireNoDesires Nothing. if they are off the grid and self sufficient, then they have purpose. If they are completely oblivious to modern Western society, then either western society hasn't noticed them either, or intentionally protects them from outside corruption. I don't see how it would affect them at all.

@fewlme1ce23 are they not provided with just enough to survive? If they wish to flourish, inst that dependent on that specific individual, rather than the system or environment surrounding them?

@DesireNoDesires If they are living off the grid, then they are provided with exactly what nature provides them with...and what they do with it is up to them. They might starve, or they might become extremely wealthy, depending on resources and the cunning of the individual or individuals. They may or may not be dependent on the specific individual..it could be a group effort, and probably is. Hunter/gatherer societies tend to be structured quite differently to societies that have government. But purpose in these societies is already built in.

Be that as it may, if they are off the grid, then government changes to the grid will not impact them at all. That's nothing more than a pointless academic exercise. We aren't talking about isolated bands of hunter gatherers. We are talking about millions of people with varying opinions and cultures trying to exist harmoniously in a world where the common principles of survival (get educated, get a job, make a living, save a bit, retire) are shifting drastically and the very nature of "earning a living" has changed.

My only point was that history tells us that purpose is essential to society, and the biggest danger I see going forward is people losing purpose.

@fewlme1ce23 I don't think people are going to lose purpose, but are going to come to the realization that they never had a purpose..it's a change that is well over due and people need to brace themselves for what is coming.

Automation is going to sky rocket production, automation is going to drastically decrease the working population, eliminating the average consumer...its going to be 10x worse than the 1930's market crash

@DesireNoDesires It's not a question that most people lose purpose when they are at loose ends. It's just the way it is. That's been proven repeatedly throughout history. People retire...their kids move out...lives change. We build cliche's around the phenomenon....middle age crazy, empty nest syndrome..etc. We consistently see that people who "reinvent a purpose" (take up knitting or tennis or learn to fly or start an online business or whatever) fare better than those who "wing it" thinking they don't need a purpose. Purpose doesn't have to be work, but the more commitment there is the better. And of course a level of physical activity is necessary for good health...mental and otherwise. People who have purposeful lives live happier, healthier and longer lives overall than those who don't.

I know it's coming. I don't think it will be here as soon as some people think, because I'm still waiting on my hoverboard...but I do think that it's something that needs to be prepared for. The market crash was mostly psychology and panic, unpredictable in it's severity. This isn't...but yes..it will require a major social shift and good governance to survive the transition....and right now we look unlikely to have either. I'm not contradicting that. All I was saying is that it will mean society will have to restructure in a way that allows for those without employment to engage and contribute. Humans just need that to thrive..like it or not.