Maybe it is NBD - the concept of deriving your meaning and purpose from "what you do" instead of "who you are" has always seemed vulgar, so in some ways this turning is simply a necessary comeuppance for that status-seeking mentality. If these folks can muster some of their newly idle individual intellectual activity towards unbinding their self-worth from public recognition, they'll be alright!
reply> the concept of deriving your meaning and purpose from "what you do" instead of "who you are" has always seemed vulgar
replyThen not being "vulgar" is only a privilege of the idle rich. When you do something for 8 hours a day, it can't not be a part of who you are.