> I can confirm from my own experience that when you worry about not being able to pay rent and all the bills, it's very difficult to be productive, much less in a job that requires any kind of focus or creative thinking.
Who was paying you and could you not go do something else for money?
In some ways, that mindset comes from a place of privilege. In true poverty-esque situations, you often couldn't get the time off of work to find another job, or even afford the transition between one job and another. It can be a pretty vicious cycle.
It does sound like you're the one making an assumption. Many people in this country feel trapped by what they can do for work.
On top of that being broke and exhausted makes it difficult for people to change what they are doing. If you can't go two weeks without a paycheck, how are you going to switch jobs, etc..
Who was paying you and could you not go do something else for money?