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Bullshit Jobs: Why We Work So Much When We Could Work So Little

Authors
  • Name
    Callum van den Enden
    Twitter

Overview

Keynes predicted a 15-hour workweek by 2000. We're working more. Are we just greedy, or is there something else at play?

The Keynesian Conundrum: Where's Our 15-Hour Workweek?

John Maynard Keynes, back in 1930, reckoned we'd be working 15-hour weeks by now. Technologically, we're there. I mean, anyone can spin up a website in an afternoon that used to take a team of devs months. (Still working on that 20-hour week for myself, though. One day...) So, why are so many of us still chained to our desks (or, let's be honest, laptops on the sofa)? The common answer is that we're all just greedy consumers, swapping free time for fancy gadgets. But I'm not so sure.

The Rise of Bullshit Jobs

Here's the thing: most new jobs aren't about making those gadgets. They're in administration, management, consulting – roles that often feel, well, pointless. Even the folks in those jobs often confess to their meaninglessness. Mark Fisher calls them "bullshit jobs" – roles that don't seem to contribute anything tangible to the world. I've met my share, and they're not all in corporate towers. It makes you wonder: who's actually making all the stuff we buy if so many of us are shuffling papers?

The Moral and Political Economy of Work

This isn't just about economics. It's about power. A workforce with heaps of free time is a force to be reckoned with – think of the social upheavals of the 60s, which, coincidentally, were around the time Keynes's predictions were still seen as within reach. Keeping us busy, even with pointless work, maintains the status quo. It also reinforces this idea that work is a moral imperative, regardless of its actual value. This narrative benefits those at the top, and conveniently directs resentment away from them and towards those with actually essential jobs. (Ever notice how much flak train drivers get during strikes? The very fact that a strike causes disruption proves their work is essential!)

The Value Paradox: Why Essential Workers Get Squeezed

Here's the kicker: the jobs that really matter – nurses, teachers, garbage collectors – are often the least valued, both in terms of pay and social recognition. If these essential workers vanished, society would crumble (COVID's essential workers, anyone?). But if all the corporate lawyers and consultants went poof? Well, some might argue things would improve. This isn't by accident. It's a system designed to keep power where it is.

Key Takeaways for the Hustle Crowd (and Everyone Else)

  • Automation hasn't liberated us, it's re-organized us: Technology could give us more free time, but it's been used to create more (often pointless) work. We need to be more intentional about how we use technology to actually serve us. (Something I'm trying to do with YouQ!)
  • "Bullshit jobs" aren't just a corporate problem: They exist across sectors, and recognizing them is the first step to finding more meaningful work. What feels "bullshit" to one person might be fulfilling to another - self-awareness is key.
  • The value we place on work is often detached from its actual impact: Essential workers are undervalued, while many "bullshit jobs" are highly rewarded. This isn't sustainable, both socially and economically. We need to re-think what we value as a society.
  • The system isn't designed to make us happy: It's designed to maintain existing power structures. Understanding this can help us navigate the world of work more strategically, and make choices aligned with our values. (Even if those values include a 20-hour workweek and lots of guitar playing.)
  • It's not about blaming individuals: This isn't about laziness or greed. It's about systemic forces that shape our working lives. Recognizing this is the first step to challenging those systems and creating a more equitable and fulfilling future of work. (And maybe, just maybe, getting that 15-hour workweek Keynes promised.)

See the original: https://strikemag.org/bullshit-jobs/ and a great video