Misplaced incentives and wrong motivation for workers is the reason for low productivity. Lack of recognition plays a part too.<p>If your betters mainly motivate you by fear of losing your job and getting kicked out, which is how most jobs starting from wallmart and ending at larger tech companies are, how productive can you really be? Part of your mind is already in the wrong place because you&#x27;re going to be thinking &quot;whats next for me if the worst thing happens?&quot;<p>This is one of the reasons productivity may get a large increase with introduction of basic income, if it ever happens. Intrinsically motivated people who get recognition for their work (likely because they&#x27;ll be working for themselves) can dedicate 100% of their mindpower to what they&#x27;re working on.