LETTERS

摘要

Your articles on the future of work (25 June, p 29) brought to mind a New Scientist article by Charles Darwin, theoretical physicist and patrician grandson of his famous namesake (27 December 1956, p 13). He was an advocate of eugenics, calling for authoritarian measures to mould society. He asked whether more leisure time as a result of technology would lead to "endless mischief of one kind or another unless it is controlled by some sort of compulsion". He worried that a large fraction of the population would not be able to handle extended free time. Would they demand more sensational entertainment - "even gladiators'? Would those "not satisfied with whatever exciting things are provided for them almost inevitably give rein to their tastes by stirring up trouble"? Would they be drawn to rioting, the excitement of crime?