2025年9月10日中午，31岁的美国保守派活动家、评论员查理·柯克（Charlie Kirk）在犹他州的犹他谷大 学校园里举行的演讲活动中，被人射杀。在被送往附近的医疗机构进行抢救之后，柯克不治身亡。当地 时间下午2时40分左右，美国总统特朗普亲自发出了他死亡的信息。事发当天开始，美国国内出现了舆 论风暴。许多人想当然地把这一事件的凶手，想象成保守主义的反对者。人们震惊于美国国内频发的暴 力事件。很多国家的政要也表达了对美国国内矛盾加剧的关切。 这让笔者想起托克维尔在1835年出版的《论美国的民主》。这是一部被认为是美国政治和文化史的顶级 经典之作。托克维尔在书中以一个"外国人"的视角中美国这个新生的国家毫不吝惜地写出了大量的正面 评价，他对于美国各地的"平等状态"感到震惊。然而三年后的1838年，时年28岁的亚伯拉罕·林肯发表 了著名的青年学会演说，直言这个国家面临着威胁："蔓延全国的对法律的日益藐视……以及比野蛮的 暴民更为恶劣的群体……"。林肯之所以和托克维尔有着南辕北辙的观点，是因为他刚刚了解到当时一 件令人发指的针对黑人的暴行：一位在蒸汽船上工作的黑人被一群白人在圣路易斯被活活烧死。更令人 震惊的 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the disparity between the predicted reduction in working hours due to increased productivity and the current reality where people work longer hours, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of work culture and labor rights in modern society [2][3][4]. Group 1: Historical Context and Current Reality - Historical figures like Hayek, Keynes, and Marx envisioned a future where productivity would allow for shorter working hours and greater leisure time [2]. - Current productivity levels have vastly exceeded those predictions, yet average working hours remain high, with Chinese workers averaging 49 hours per week [3][4]. - The article notes that in certain industries, such as technology and internet sectors, employees often work over 240 hours a month, reflecting a culture of overwork [3]. Group 2: Health and Well-being - The article highlights the physical and mental health issues arising from excessive work hours, including increased prevalence of diseases and even sudden deaths among workers [4]. - There is a growing trend of individuals using creative self-care methods to cope with workplace pressures, such as using USB devices to simulate work activity to avoid monitoring [4]. Group 3: Changing Work Culture - The emergence of movements like "996.ICU" and "digital nomadism" reflects a shift in attitudes towards work, with younger generations seeking better work-life balance and reduced hours [5][6]. - The article discusses the global trend of reevaluating work ethics, with various countries exploring reduced working hours as a response to the demands of modern labor [7][21]. Group 4: Theoretical Perspectives - The article references the "Post-Work" theory, which critiques the current work system and suggests a need for a fundamental change in how work is perceived and organized [8][9]. - Scholars argue that the essence of capitalism creates a cycle of desire and consumption that traps individuals in a relentless work culture, undermining their well-being [10]. Group 5: Future Directions - The article suggests that a new distribution system, such as universal basic income, could alleviate the pressures of work and allow individuals to pursue meaningful activities outside of traditional employment [24][41]. - It emphasizes the importance of investing in human welfare, including healthcare and education, to create a more balanced society that values individual well-being over mere productivity [25][41].