So many of our scientific advancements, especially before 1800, came from the idle rich - those free to tinker and experiment.
Imagine what could be done if we lifted the majority of the population out of wage slavery with a UBI or similar - how many Newtons, Laplaces, or Fermats are currently toiling in obscurity?
Probably some of them! I would be willing to bet that a lot of the "number go up" reward in our brains is especially rewarding when we feel trapped in a job/life without notable accomplishments.
That is, if you don't have the time or energy to take on fulfilling creative projects, you can at least fake the sense of accomplishment with video games.
Imagine what could be done if we lifted the majority of the population out of wage slavery with a UBI or similar - how many Newtons, Laplaces, or Fermats are currently toiling in obscurity?