unless we can ALL join forces to draw the line somewhere, someone will choose to defect from the agreement to "just work less",

> We already did draw the line and we can redraw it. We drew the line very strongly at 40 hours, 4 days a week. That is the "official" expected hours for most salaried employees.

because doing so will make them succeed at the expense of others.

> This already happens. People making salary, 40 hours, that work 50, 60, etc. to get ahead of their coworkers in a career sense. Or people taking optional overtime to get ahead financially or people who work hourly working extra hours or people who have 2+ jobs or a side hustle.

even if everyone from one country agrees, the other competing country that defects and works 996 with agents will "win" and conquer the lazy country.

> Didn't realize Japan is imminently going to conquer the US because they work more hours.