In order to frame the confusion, Handy identifies nine paradoxes which are fundamental to the difficulties encountered at all levels of society at this time. It is difficult to measure. It is impossible to redistribute it, at least in a short space of time, although it is also impossible to stop people acquiring it. Even when it is possible to share know-how, the supplier still retains it all. It is also difficult effectively to own someone else's intelligence.
Consequently organizations end up exporting unproductive work.
Enforced idleness is therefore the price paid for efficiency, even though people need some productive activity to engage in. But the unused workers in society still have to be supplied with money to survive. Those that are excluded from formal work by this process, then tend to seek a variety of ways to survive, whether through engaging in the informal or illegal economies, or doing things for themselves which otherwise they would have paid others to do. But increases in productivity effectively reduce the amount of work done although the economy still appears to grow. Pricing work tends ultimately to destroy work.