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The rise of the pointless job

theguardian.com

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Re: The rise of the pointless job

#421

Post by RivieraKid »

edraferi wrote: post #239
modbait wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Through my long career, I've notice virtually no correlation between my pay and the utility of my position. And indeed, I've had one or two jobs like yours. Sadly for my bank book, I can only stand being useless for relatively short stretches. I still reminisce about my lowest paying job, my first. It was probably the most enjoyable and satisfying. It was also useful, though perhaps not at the top of that list. It's…

There's an economic theory that job satisfaction is a kind of compensation. That is, you have to pay people more to do unsatisfying jobs.

That is an economic theory? This seems like an obvious observation that most people should be able to make.

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#422

Post by 0x445442 »

expensivedrone wrote: post #80

I'm a programmer working at a big-tech company. I make ~$350k/year, even though my job could be done equally well by a college intern. I only do ~2 hours of productive work in an average day. My previous jobs were far more interesting and challenging, and I had apparently done extremely well in my interviews. Hence why I got an offer with an extremely good compensation package. However, the team that I go put into, i…

This is interesting and sad to me. Sad because it's at least one data point that refutes a theory I've had.

I've been on a job search for some time now in the same field which you're employed. I've had a number of interviews but I think things have stalled a few times when it's come to salary negotiation. I've been approaching things with the theory that the more I'm compensated the less likely I'd be in the situation you've described and the one I find myself currently in. So, I've been asking well above market rate in the hopes that if I find a taker I'd force the employer's hand in tasking me with non bullshit work.

Your story shoots that theory all to hell.

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#423

Post by zeckalpha »

pdonis wrote: post #273
TaylorAlexander wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I talk to people about changing the world so work is optional, and people are really attached to the idea that everyone should work all the time. Our world is sufficiently productive (a trend I expect to continue rising) that we could offer a modest life to everyone regardless of how much they work. Or more conservatively, we could build a world where everyone has 8 weeks of vacation a year or could take 6 months off…

> Our world is sufficiently productive (a trend I expect to continue rising) that we could offer a modest life to everyone regardless of how much they work. I don't think this is true, because I think too large a fraction of the world's current productivity is supplied by people who would not produce if they didn't have to to earn a living. > My vision is for systems of robotics that are totally open source (modifiab…

> the world's current productivity is supplied by people who would not produce if they didn't have to to earn a living.

Not according to the article.

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#424

Post by dredmorbius »

bojo wrote: post #331
lainga wrote: post #15

I have said this before, but I see some parallels between the modern world and Japan during the early Tokugawa era. Japan had pretty much reached a steady state by the time Tokugawa Iyeyasu came to power in 1600; most of the available land had been cultivated or settled, and, especially after the policies of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, society was locked in a rigid structure without much room for advancement or unrest. As a…

This reminds me of an entry level Business Japanese class I took many years ago from Peter Firkola at the University of Hokkaido, except as applied to modern day Japan. My memory is a little fuzzy about the specifics, but the following is the main gist of it. Basically the Japanese government funds a large number of "pointless" projects, such as freeways to nowhere, large sea-facing cement walls, or things like subsi…

Large sea-facing cement walls suddenly make sense when there's a big wave in the harbour.

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#425

Post by bonniemuffin »

0x445442 wrote: post #422
expensivedrone wrote: post #80

I'm a programmer working at a big-tech company. I make ~$350k/year, even though my job could be done equally well by a college intern. I only do ~2 hours of productive work in an average day. My previous jobs were far more interesting and challenging, and I had apparently done extremely well in my interviews. Hence why I got an offer with an extremely good compensation package. However, the team that I go put into, i…

This is interesting and sad to me. Sad because it's at least one data point that refutes a theory I've had. I've been on a job search for some time now in the same field which you're employed. I've had a number of interviews but I think things have stalled a few times when it's come to salary negotiation. I've been approaching things with the theory that the more I'm compensated the less likely I'd be in the situatio…

If you're looking for meaningful, interesting work on a high-functioning team, IMO the only way to be sure is to only apply to companies where you already know someone working there. Find someone you know who genuinely likes their job, and have them refer you to a position at their company. Anything else is just reading tea leaves.

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#426

Post by grosjona »

As companies get bigger and they monopolize industries, they can afford to be extremely inefficient without any negative repercussions.

It makes the system fundamentally unfair. Money is supposed to be a representation of the debt that society owes an individual for contributions that the individual has made to society but its not like that - It doesn't matter how useless you are to society, you can still make a lot of money. In fact, it's easier to make money if you are useless to society; smart people let other people create value and they spend all their energy on coming up with strategies to capture the value created by others.

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#427

Post by mlvljr »

ytwySXpMbS wrote: post #313
Thlom wrote: post #242

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm always a bit taken back when visiting the toilet at clubs and some restaurants when I'm in the UK as there's a gentleman sitting by the sink handing out towels and stuff. Very strange and utterly useless. Not sure if he's paid by the club or lives of tip, but it makes me really uncomfortable. I just want to take a piss and wash my hands, not have an awkward conversation with a towel handler.

I've never seen this in my life in the UK. There is a guy watching over the people in the toilets in the clubs near me, but you don't talk to him and he doesn't hand you anything. Even if he did hand you something, you don't have to have a conversation with him.

Wonder how downvoting this is by the rules :)

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#429

Post by gaius »

ghaff wrote: post #343
ytwySXpMbS wrote: post #313

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never seen this in my life in the UK. There is a guy watching over the people in the toilets in the clubs near me, but you don't talk to him and he doesn't hand you anything. Even if he did hand you something, you don't have to have a conversation with him.

OTOH last time I was in St.Pancras there was a guy collecting the fees to use the washroom and keeping things tidied up. People in the US would be outraged to pay for using a bathroom under those circumstances. Japan can be even worse. I’ve seen it at hotel seven when you’re eating at the hotel restaurant.

OTOH last time I was in St.Pancras there was a guy collecting the fees to use the washroom

The toilets at St Pancras are free and always have been. He was just some random guy you gave money to!

Re: The rise of the pointless job

#430

Post by girvo »

briandear wrote: post #406
marcosdumay wrote: post #265

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A smart traffic light that can count how any cars enter and exit the zone. It's perfectly possible to automate, but it may not be the best ROI around.

That also breaks down when they need to fully stop traffic from both sides so a equipment can be moved. How do you tell the automated lights to stop everything automatically when those instances are irregular.

You press a button. I’m not joking either, they have a way to program them quickly for exactly this reason. Set them on a cycle, or turn them to manual.
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