Bullshit Jobs
By David Graeber
A Theory. Simon & Schuster, 2018.
Summary of Bullshit Jobs book by David Graeber
A provocative, clever argument about the uselessness of scores of jobs, where they came from and why they still exist, and how the people who hold them feel a sense of emptiness and despair when they contemplate their working lives.
Chapters in Bullshit Jobs book summary
What do you get from this book? A timely discussion of the way modern work reflects society’s values and impacts our wellbeing
David Graeber’s essay about bullshit jobs created a stir and sparked a conversation that many people were desperate to have
BS jobs are defined by the impact they have on the world and the subjective experiences of the people working them
BS jobs fall into five categories, including flunkies who inflate their boss’ status and goons who manipulate people
Duct tapers fix issues that shouldn’t have been a problem in the first place and box tickers, well, tick boxes
Some taskmasters delegate work to people who already know what to do, while others create more BS tasks and jobs
BS jobs often make people miserable because we all want to make a difference—despite what economic theories say
Modern ideas of work and time have led to a conflict between the perspective of employers and employees
Having a BS job involves forms of spiritual and psychological violence, often manifesting as stress and anxiety
BS jobs are proliferating at an increasing rate despite the supposed efficiency of capitalism, supported by “managerial feudalism”
Most people accept the explosion of BS jobs because of deep-seated ideas we have about social and economic value
The idea of work as a virtue has roots in Northern Europe and was revived by American-style corporate capitalism
BS jobs have clear political consequences, creating feelings of resentment that pit groups of people against each other
There are things that could be done—like Universal Basic Income—to improve the effects of multiplying BS jobs
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Bullshit Jobs — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Bullshit Jobs book
- managers and CEOs
- anthropology students
- social scientists
- anyone who hates their job
About the author of Bullshit Jobs
David Graeber
David Graeber (1961–2020) was a leading American anthropologist and activist known for his eminent contributions to the field of economic anthropology and incisive writing about politics. He was an active member of the Global Justice Movement in the 1990s, and later a leader during the Occupy Wall Street movement. Graeber passed away unexpectedly at the age of fifty-nine.
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David Graeber
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