the United States has higher incomes than those nations mainly because we work more. there's also the quirk that the US would rather employ people with low labor productivity than to have them receive government support, which lowers the overall average. separate issue but I want to acknowledge it.
the one I want to talk about is the nutty import of "996" culture into the modern Burned-Over District we call Silicon Valley. 996 means working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, to boost one's overall output. it's part of the new "grindset". and yes, it's an 80% increase in work time.
the problem that isn't mentioned by its advocates is that you're not getting an 80% increase in output. you might not be getting a 40% increase in output. as a result, your overall productivity *drops*, because the amount of work you get done doesn't keep up with the time you spend at it.
if this is the case, why has it become increasingly popular in the land of the godmakers? because it's an effective form of social control among high-exit high-income workers. it signals a willingness to subordinate oneself to a higher goal. I'm not exaggerating. they'll tell you this.
the most malignant form of repression is the one that convinces you to inflict it on yourself. happy Labor Day.