February 17, 2026
Post-scarcity? Try post-paycheck
Assistant to the Regional Manager
From cheese rain to The Office: crowd says status games are real—but rent is realer
TLDR: An essay argues that even in a perfect, AI-powered world, people would still chase status and meaning through social struggle. Commenters clap back that utopia talk ignores rent and healthcare, slam AI’s confident nonsense, nitpick The Office origins, and demand reality over rainstorms of cheese
A philosopher paints a feast-like utopia (think Cockaigne where cheese falls from the sky) and, channeling Nick Bostrom, argues that even if AI makes life comfy, we’ll still chase titles and approval. Cue the “Assistant to the Regional Manager” energy: he recalls how status—like a fancy title with no extra pay—still made him beam, proving humans crave recognition. The crowd? Split between intrigued and eye-rolling. One reader even craves more ceremony, asking if society needs more honorifics and formality, while admitting it could be abused.
Then the comments go full break room brawl. The “AI will bring post-scarcity” line gets roasted: one says AI’s smooth talk makes wrong answers scarier, another snaps that DoorDash lunch means nothing if you can’t afford rent or healthcare. A purist even corrects the meme, reminding everyone the Dwight bit began in the UK version, not just the US one. And the resident cynic? Calls the whole book a “waste of paper.” The meme of the day: “Assistant TO the Reality Check.” Verdict from the comments section: status games may never end—but neither do the bills, and utopia talk had better meet the price tag
Key Points
- •The article contrasts medieval utopian imagery (Cockaigne) with modern convenience and on-demand abundance.
- •It explores the idea of a post-scarcity world where material needs are met without work.
- •The common concern that such a world would cause boredom or loss of purpose is presented and challenged.
- •The author argues interpersonal dynamics would sustain struggle and meaning even with material abundance.
- •Academic anecdotes from the University of Arizona and Yale illustrate how status matters beyond material rewards.