But removing one entire soul crushing day from your week, allowing you to sleep in, do chores or errands, go somewhere fun, whatever you want. You are less free to do those things with the two extra hours per day because the two hours are probably before or after when many places are open, plus you and any compatriots with whom you might want to associate are more likely to be tired from work. (I'm speaking of a hypothetical "you," not necessarily you personally, of course.)

I certainly think 4x8 should be implemented as the standard, but until that happens, I consider 4x10 to be far, far preferable to 5x8, especially if you get to choose your day off. I've mostly worked 4x10 for many years and the few times I've had to switch back to 5x8 have been soul crushing due to how much opportunity and "me time" I've lost.

I didn't know I wanted it until the first job that offered it, but now it's a requirement I'll mention the first time I speak to any recruiter.

Sure it is nice getting 3 day weekends but I am not cut out for 10h days. I just cannot be productive that long.

There's a strong argument that people also can't be productive for 5x8h days. Cases of the Mondays, Friday afternoons, just staring at the wall. I think a fundamental aspect of the standard workweek is a lot of employees are sometimes just at work without actually being productive. That's why some studies find no reduction in productivity when people go 4x8.

I'd be happy if I could just retire on time, which I don't think is going to happen. I look at many people and still feel lucky that I "only" have to work 40 hours. People are compelled to work 60+ just for their subsistence and even they won't have enough to retire.