What happens to the meaning of work when machines can do everything better

About the venue and seating: Olympus Cafe has a lot of outdoor seating but can be crowded, especially toward the beginning of the event. When one of the hosts finds a table, we will message everyone with its general location and the food order numbers that should be visible on the stands there. We also encourage others to do the same when they occupy empty tables. Also, note that these events are informal in nature so there is no obligation to arrive exactly at 7 or stay the entire duration.

Since we’re using a table at a restaurant, please support the venue by purchasing at least one item. Kindly refrain from bringing outside food or beverages. Thank you for helping us maintain a good relationship with the restaurant!

Topic:
In this session, we’ll explore a profound question: What is the value of human labor in a world where robots and AI can outperform us in both brainpower and brute force? As automation increasingly replaces both cognitive and physical work, many wonder not just what jobs will be left, but whether work itself will still be meaningful.

Will we be liberated from toil, or stripped of purpose?

We’ll explore:

• How work has shaped human identity, dignity, and status.
• Whether universal basic income or post-work societies solve the problem—or deepen it.
• The philosophical difference between productive value and intrinsic worth.
• Whether a life without labor is utopia, dystopia, or something else entirely.

This is a discussion for anyone curious about the future of meaning, purpose, and human contribution in a post-labor world.