I forgot to add - I am "available" 9-5. If I get pinged or emailed, I do respond. If something needs fixing or investigating, I'll jump in. Availability & the trust-building it brings allows you to get paid for existing.
I have a salaried job as a BigCo (not a FAANG or even a tech company) - If I were to work hourly (say, consulting/contracting) I don't think it would be too different. Pay would be more sporadic but also work requirements would be more in my control so it just trades off. Eventually I'll probably drop the BigCo job and get paid less but on my own terms as my finances allow.
I agree I'm in a position that allows for this. I had to get through school and cut my teeth in industry before I could get a position like this. But I knew I wanted it & pounced on the first company that would remotely hire junior me despite my lack of remote experience. Pretty much every career choice I've made was guided towards working remotely like this.
Pre-covid it was so trivial to find gatherings for shared interests (meetups, clubs, tournaments, rec sports, art walks, classes) that I think society would be fine if you stopped forcing people to associate with others that get paid by the same corporation. All the things I listed are a bigger signal of shared interests.
Hourly tech workers, or those who have to be available 9-5 anyway, don't have this luxury.
I agree with the parent that WFH does have a lot of long-term potential downsides/changes for society.