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On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

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Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#61

Post by singingfish »

vanderZwan wrote: post #48
guard-of-terra wrote: post #23

I wonder how much people we really need to replicate, sustain and exceed present levels of technology and culture (on another planet perhaps)? Given that we allow every person to develop their talents of contributing to the productivity of the society. Not just being a wage drone or an unemployed drone. My guess is: as few as a few million people today, hundred thousands when we figure out robotics.

I recall a reading very fascinating comment on Reddit a few years ago on this subject: if you want to maximise for maximum biological diversity at the lowest cost, the best option would be to have a small all-female crew, and as much diverse frozen sperm as possible (which is the most compact form of proto-human we got). Then upon reaching the intended planet, fertilise every female with a unique cell. Repeat every g…

A few african males from different parts of africa.

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#62

Post by lmm »

It bears saying that working hours have gone down, at least here in Europe. But it took unions and laws to make it happen, and at every stage employers have screamed blue murder - "oh noes, we couldn't possibly maintain productivity with only a 60/50/40/35 hour work week". Of course, once the law is introduced it turns out the company can remain just as productive.

I don't know what the figures are for the US, with its hatred of organized labour and social legislation.

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#63

Post by singingfish »

Jach wrote: post #27
asfasfafwF wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not really up on what the standard of living was like in the 30's, but is it really possible working 10 hours per week? That would barely pay rent in most places.

The trick is getting into a government subsidized housing program, making use of food stamps, and taking as many other handouts as you can get. A former friend does this and works about 10 hours a week as a dishwasher (sometimes more if they have a busy week) spending the rest of his time playing video games or reading Objectivist literature.

Or get some serious skillz and a good gig.

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#64

Post by [deleted] »

roel_v wrote: post #43
RyanZAG wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That happens less in academics - I was thinking more of administrative areas in corporations. For example, there are no shortages of stories of administrators in procurement adding in additional required paperwork when more efficient computerized systems make their stamp on documents less required. Actually, this has happened in academics in a way too - consider the requirement of ever lengthening literature reviews…

" consider the requirement of ever lengthening literature reviews in PHD theses. These have come about because of the ease of access to academic documents through digitized journals making libraries and supervisors less valuable." I'm not sure I understand your conspiracy theory mumbo jumbo correctly, but I cannot help but take from this that you are saying that because finding literature has become faster due to ele…

[deleted]

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#65

Post by Attocs »

What I find bizarre about this is that where I live, India, this seems more prevalent than anywhere else I have traveled in the world. Its as if the vestiges of British bureaucracy have left behind a middle class with such a sense of entitlement that they seem to have no problem with the obvious fact that their job is meaningless.

Apparently the official policy is that government employees cannot be fired so are simply given something, anything, to do until they retire - don't quote me on this.

The strange thing is that you have a non-english speaking, poorer, class beneath this (of around 600 million people) that simply MUST make an economic contribution in order to survive because no one will pay them anything unless their economic contribution is undeniable.....

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#66

Post by yread »

mixmax wrote: post #12
Filligree wrote: post #3

Some of what people want is positive-sum: Books, aquariums, theater showings, even cars. As we get more productive, the amount of time you need to work for these decreases. A lot of what people want is zero-sum: Location, status symbols, and so forth. If you want to live in the centre of town you need to work more than anyone else who so wants, not just as much as it takes to cover the maintenance. This is, I believe…

This is a good observation. I've put some effort into circumventing the zero-sum things, though I haven't thought about it this way before. I live on a boat that I've paid with cash, and thus own. My living expenses come down to harbour rent, electricity and heating in the winter. Over a year that's an average of $300 a month. I live in the smack middle of Copenhagen. On top of this comes living expenses, clothes, et…

I think that almost everybody can do that - cut down a bit on the living expenses, save some money, quit your job and look for something worth doing. I am currently doing it and wasn't such a trouble

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#67

Post by seren »

throwaway1979 wrote: post #52
seanmcdirmid wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Deprecation of assets via property tax is an incredibly good idea. When you don't have that, people see property as a speculative asset class, buy property, do nothing productive with it and...that's basically the Chinese property bubble. Yes, you must pay taxes on your home, but that's because your home is consuming resources from the locality even if it is owned outright.

The grand parent made a really good point. Lets say I don't want to consume local resources. I still have to pay taxes. As far as I know, this is true in the US and Canada. I believe this may not be true elsewhere. Regardless, the "having to pay taxes" has implications such that one can never completely leave the rat race. Btw ... I'd be happy to be corrected. Are there places in the US/Canada without such taxes? Sin…

Water, sanitation, road or port facilities usage, etc are probably still 'local'.

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#68

Post by dccoolgai »

I live and work in Washington DC. If you ever want to visit a living museum of bullshit jobs, come visit this city. One of my favorite anecdotes is when my friend worked for a defense contractor who hired a "requirements manager". On her first day of work, she popped into my buddy's office and whispered: "what are requirements?".

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#69

Post by baseraid »

Filligree wrote: post #3

Some of what people want is positive-sum: Books, aquariums, theater showings, even cars. As we get more productive, the amount of time you need to work for these decreases. A lot of what people want is zero-sum: Location, status symbols, and so forth. If you want to live in the centre of town you need to work more than anyone else who so wants, not just as much as it takes to cover the maintenance. This is, I believe…

There are negative sum jobs as well. Pharma people, promoting harmful drugs, soldiers or criminals.

Re: On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

#70

Post by jclos »

roel_v wrote: post #43
RyanZAG wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That happens less in academics - I was thinking more of administrative areas in corporations. For example, there are no shortages of stories of administrators in procurement adding in additional required paperwork when more efficient computerized systems make their stamp on documents less required. Actually, this has happened in academics in a way too - consider the requirement of ever lengthening literature reviews…

" consider the requirement of ever lengthening literature reviews in PHD theses. These have come about because of the ease of access to academic documents through digitized journals making libraries and supervisors less valuable." I'm not sure I understand your conspiracy theory mumbo jumbo correctly, but I cannot help but take from this that you are saying that because finding literature has become faster due to ele…

I agree. If anything, the explosion of digital libraries and thus of available information would tend to make librarians and supervisors with deep domain knowledge even more essential to sort through all the noise.
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