The one-off problem of work

Is this a "work is virtue" problem? Perhaps.

This idea cuts two ways.

The first way: all the little bullshit "Hey, got a minute?" things that pile up across a workday, a work week, and a work year. All told, they cost the U.S. about $588B in lost productivity. 

That should matter, but as long as bonuses are fat and growth can be proven, the lost productivity is largely just tolerated.

The second one-…