My stance may be a little stronger than the author's here, but it's something I wish I understood a decade ago.
I used to think that more free time was a key to happiness. Turns out I don't believe that at all now, and most of my free time I spend browsing internet garbage.
I realized that I enjoy challenges and being needed is actually very fulfilling to me, and not something I can just artificially make happen in my free time. As such, perhaps in a more efficient world (where I don't help my neighbor fix their car, don't cook with roommates) I am less happy.
This isn't to say efficiency isn't often good, but I think some of the things it may cost (e.g. fewer possible friendships) may not be worth the price.
I used to think that more free time was a key to happiness. Turns out I don't believe that at all now, and most of my free time I spend browsing internet garbage.
I realized that I enjoy challenges and being needed is actually very fulfilling to me, and not something I can just artificially make happen in my free time. As such, perhaps in a more efficient world (where I don't help my neighbor fix their car, don't cook with roommates) I am less happy.
This isn't to say efficiency isn't often good, but I think some of the things it may cost (e.g. fewer possible friendships) may not be worth the price.