The work ethic narrative is immensely useful to employers, but in too many situations it's almost totally disconnected from real opportunity and reward.

Ultimately it's a political problem - but not necessarily in the obvious sense.

The most successful and fun cultures reward inventiveness and positive social contributions, and include some element of challenge and competition.

But using money and markets to make decisions about the kinds of activities that are rewarded turns out to be an inefficient, short-sighted and often surreal way to manage what does and doesn't get valued.