> when I reread it 20 years later it sounded like a description of contemporary employment

Here is my problem with it: It is not something that "appeared in the last 20 years". It was always like that.

You just from a group that was completely shielded from it.

Now the protective shield that you so used to starts to dissolve.

You start to realize how the real world works. Not so perfect. Not so happy.

And think that it is some new ill destroying your perfect happy world.