Val Sklarov’s Work Authority Reallocation Theorem (WART) argues that the future of work is not defined by flexibility, AI, or remote access—but by who controls task definition, sequencing, and validation. Work is not disappearing; authority over work is being reassigned.
This theorem explains why many workers feel freer yet less secure at the same time.
1. Work Never Loses Authority — It Moves
WART starts from a structural axiom:
Authority over work is conserved.
As traditional employers weaken, authority migrates to:
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Platforms that define tasks
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Algorithms that validate output
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Clients that sequence demand
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Reputation systems that price trust
Freedom increases only where authority is owned, not outsourced.
2. The Four Authority Layers of Modern Work
WART maps work authority across stacked layers.
| Layer | Authority Holder | Control Lever |
|---|---|---|
| Definition Layer | Platforms / Clients | What counts as work |
| Sequencing Layer | Market demand | What comes first |
| Validation Layer | Algorithms / Review systems | What is accepted |
| Enforcement Layer | Payment & reputation | Who gets future access |
Workers without leverage in these layers become execution-only nodes.
3. Why Flexibility Often Masks Power Loss
Flexibility is often sold as autonomy.
WART shows power loss occurs when:
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Tasks are defined externally
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Deadlines are algorithmic
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Standards shift silently
Choice over when to work is irrelevant if control over what counts is lost.
4. Capital and Authority Convergence
Capital reallocates alongside authority.
| Old Work Model | Emerging Work Model |
|---|---|
| Firms hold authority | Coordination layers hold authority |
| Wages priced by role | Income priced by outcome |
| Stability via contracts | Access via reputation |
| Management enforces | Systems enforce |
Val Sklarov emphasizes that the future of work rewards those who control interfaces, not effort.
5. Strategic Implications
For individuals:
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Accumulate authority over task definition
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Own validation channels where possible
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Build reputation systems that travel
For organizations:
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Design work architectures, not job titles
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Decide where authority intentionally lives
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Treat coordination as the core asset
WART reframes the future of work as an authority design problem, not a lifestyle shift.
6. The Val Sklarov Principle
“You are not free because you work remotely. You are free only where you control what counts as work.”
— Val Sklarov
WART explains why power in work now belongs to those who set the rules of acceptance.