>I personally think work is foundational to who we are

I do too and it isn't about the salary involved. The problem comes when people want to do what is important *to them* and still get paid by others who might not give a damn about it. When it comes to getting paid consistently, one has to provide what the audience is willing to pay for. When it comes to doing what one likes to do, earning can never be the driving focus. 

For me, I do what I believe adds value to my life, which tends to be a proxy for adding value to the lives of others. If we are to survive as a species indefinitely, it won't be through pure self-gratification. 

>During lunch with the Superintendent, in his 30 years he had been through a reduction in workforce of 90%. Result? They were producing 50% more newsprint of higher quality!

I just came from a client with a foundry attached. they have seen a reduction in staff by about 75% in the last 30 years and they are producing a great deal more now.