Arts & Ideas Labour, work and productivity
Jan 30, 2026
Helen Charman, historian of motherhood; Beth Mallory, linguist of pregnancy language; Corinne Low, economist of reproductive capital; Patrick Foulis, economic journalist; John Callanan, philosopher on Mandeville. They discuss meanings of productivity, invisible domestic labour, how childbirth language shapes care, Mandeville’s influence on economic thought, AI’s promise, and debates over valuing home production.
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Pleasure Reading As Productivity
- John Callanan feels reading for pleasure counts as a highly productive day.
- He values non-obligatory thinking as genuine productive activity.
Redefine Productivity As Utility
- Define productivity as maximizing lifetime utility, not just income or output.
- Spend time on activities that increase joy, fulfilment and contentment, not only market work.
Private Vices, Public Benefits
- Mandeville's fable shows private vices can generate public prosperity without virtuous motives.
- Individual leisure and self-interest can still produce overall economic activity and wealth.
