Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber (pre-read)

David Graeber's argument on bullshit jobs revolves around the idea that a significant portion of modern work is pointless, unnecessary, or even harmful. He contends that despite technological advancements, many jobs lack meaning or contribute little to society. Graeber explores how this phenomenon affects individuals, organizations, and society as a whole, calling for a reassessment of the value and purpose of work.

David Graeber (1961–2020) was an American anthropologist, anarchist, and influential social theorist. Renowned for his work on economic anthropology and activism, he authored numerous books including The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (2021) [we did a big series on the entirety of this book in 2022-2023], Debt: The First 5000 Years (2011) and Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology (2004). Graeber's scholarship challenged conventional wisdom, exploring themes of inequality, capitalism, and the nature of work.

The PDF of Bullshit Jobs: A Theory (2018) is here.

Please read in advance the first and last chapter (chapters 1 and 7), as well as the (very short) article that inspired the book.