> but the productivity gains and economic surplus.

I think you might be missing out vast swathes of human experience here. Some things are about joy, or god help me - fun.

(For the record I think AI has a role to play here as well)

This is the template any field should have in the face of AI: screw AI, forget it. If you're using it, it's a disrespect to the field. Let's continue without it. I think that's the only sane approach.