TLDR Tech / Marketing
Envy And The Future of Work
AI will commoditize production and lower the cost of meeting basic needs. As that happens, value shifts toward what stays scarce: human-driven services, status, and experiences. Gaming shows this clearly, with billions of players spending on cosmetics, communities, and identity rather than access alone. Envy and mimetic desire reflect this shift, since people want what others visibly have. Demand concentrates in high-income elastic categories like luxury and wellness. These areas grow as consumers compare themselves to others and compete for status and exclusivity.
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