Perceptions of Human Nature

In his talk about work, Barry Schwartz poses and answers the question why do we work?

Despite what he calls an obvious conclusion that it is not about money or material rewards, for the overwhelming majority of people, their work is monotonous, meaningless, soulless and very much about the pay. The talk about work explains the technology of ideas and how whether your response is resignation or revolution depends on your understanding of the source of your poverty.

While bad technology disappears, bad ideas don't go away if people believe they're true. Instead, they create ways of living and institutions that are consistent with the bad ideas. For example, the Industrial Revolution's factory system was based on false notions of human nature. The speaker believes human nature itself is changed by the theories we have of human nature. Therefore, it is important to consider what kind of human nature do we want to create.