The writing is on the wall, so to speak.

The number 1 ask from the interviewed cohort is « professional excellence »

It is telling about what we prioritize in our society.

I am usually an optimistic person, but I struggle to see how this does not end up with more misery and worse lifestyle all around.

People derive genuine satisfaction from a job well done. A sense of purpose and of being useful is important to our wellbeing. There's nothing dystopian about a desire to do your work well.