While I totally agree with the concern that we feel the pressure of productivity when being self-employed, I don’t agree that it must lead to self exploitation. Not all freelancers are gig workers. It’s a very narrow minded view to conflate the gig economy with self employment. I’ve been happily self employed for 20 years and I don’t ever feel exploited, only in control of my career. If freelancing feels like exploitation you’re simply doing it wrong. Stop being a commodity and start being an expert.