> most people would certainly be more productive if they hadn't had to authenticate themselves.

... right up to the moment when they aren't.

I like to think of a law of conservation of productivity.

Before: yours 100%, hacker's 0%.

After: yours 0%, hacker's 100%.

Nonsense, of course. Hacker's boost is nearer 100,000%.

Fact is, modern computer power is inherently far more productive for bad than good. And the economic incentive follows.