Why so many people work “bullshit jobs”| James Suzman | Big Think

Summary

The speaker delves into the concept of 'bullshit jobs,' questioning society's fixation on work despite technological advances that should reduce labor needs. They discuss the service sector's growth and the creation of jobs seemingly for the sake of maintaining full employment. Referencing John Maynard Keynes, the talk highlights his vision of a post-work world by 2030, where technology would free us from labor, yet we still cling to an outdated work ethic. The speaker ponders the cultural and instinctual reasons behind our persistent work patterns and suggests a future where fulfilling personal passions could replace the current system of unnecessary jobs.

Takeaways

• 🔧 The fixation on work has led to the creation of 'bullshit jobs' that serve no real purpose but exist because society insists on full employment.
• 🛠️ Technological advancements were expected to reduce the need for labor, but instead, we've found new ways to keep people employed, often in unnecessary roles.
• 🌐 The service sector has become a catch-all for jobs that may not be essential, but are created to maintain the societal structure based on work.
• 🕒 John Maynard Keynes predicted a post-work society by 2030, with people working only 15 hours a week due to high productivity and technological advancements.
• 📉 Despite surpassing the economic thresholds Keynes identified, we still work the same number of hours as in the 1930s, indicating a disconnect between productivity and work hours.
• 💡 The economic problem, as defined by economists, is the problem of scarcity, which has driven human evolution towards an 'infinite need' for resources.
• 🌾 The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural ones increased productivity and instilled in humans a tendency to accumulate and create surpluses.
• 🏰 Our current economy is so productive that scarcity has been largely conquered, yet we continue to organize our societies as if we are still facing the threat of scarcity.
• 🤔 The cultural and institutional inertia might be the reason we cling to traditional work patterns, despite the potential for a different way of life.
• 💊 The work ethic that has brought prosperity could now be causing problems, as it may be time to reassess our relationship with work and productivity.
• 🌈 There is a growing interest in alternatives to traditional work, such as universal basic income, and a recognition of the potential hollowness of the 'American dream'.
• 🎨 The lockdown experience showed that people can find fulfillment in non-work activities, suggesting a future where work we love could replace 'bullshit jobs'.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the transcript about the current state of work?

The main argument is that despite technological advancements and increased productivity, society continues to create and engage in 'bullshit jobs' that may not have a significant purpose, primarily due to a cultural fixation on work and the pursuit of full employment.

What is the 'services sector' mentioned in the transcript?

The services sector refers to a broad category of economic activities that includes jobs providing services rather than tangible goods, and within which the speaker suggests many jobs are created out of a societal necessity for work rather than actual need.

Why does the speaker believe that the concept of 'full employment' is problematic?

The speaker argues that the insistence on full employment is problematic because it leads to the creation of unnecessary jobs that serve no real purpose, merely for the sake of keeping people employed.

What historical economic prediction did John Maynard Keynes make in his 1930 essay?

John Maynard Keynes predicted in his 1930 essay 'Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren' that by 2030, technological advancements and increased productivity would allow people to work no more than 15 hours a week, leading to an economic utopia where basic needs are easily met.

Why does the speaker suggest that we have not achieved the economic utopia envisioned by Keynes?

The speaker suggests that despite surpassing the thresholds of productivity and capital growth that Keynes identified, we have not achieved the predicted utopia because we continue to work the same number of hours as in the past, indicating a cultural and societal resistance to change.

What is the 'economic problem' as described by economists in the transcript?

The 'economic problem' is described as the problem of scarcity, which refers to the historical struggle for survival and the need to accumulate resources to ensure survival in times of need, a concept deeply ingrained in human behavior due to evolution.

How does the transcript suggest that our current economic system is out of sync with our productive capabilities?

The transcript suggests that our current economic system is out of sync because we live in an era of affluence where scarcity has been largely conquered, yet we continue to organize our economies and work lives as if we are still in a state of scarcity, which is no longer the case.

What role does the speaker believe culture plays in our continued adherence to traditional work patterns?

The speaker believes that culture plays a significant role in maintaining traditional work patterns, as we have become bound to certain institutions and cultural norms that perpetuate the idea of work for work's sake, even when it may not be necessary.

What is the 'bullshit job' phenomenon described in the transcript?

The 'bullshit job' phenomenon refers to jobs that are created without a clear purpose or necessity, often due to societal expectations and the need to maintain employment, rather than because they contribute meaningfully to society or the economy.

How does the speaker suggest we might move towards a more fulfilling and productive work culture?

The speaker suggests that by meeting everyone's basic needs, as envisioned by Keynes, we might be able to transition to a work culture where people engage in activities they love and find meaningful, rather than being confined to jobs they do not enjoy.

What insights does the speaker offer about the potential benefits of a post-scarcity economy?

The speaker suggests that in a post-scarcity economy, people might be free to pursue their passions and interests, leading to a richer and more productive society in terms of the things that actually matter to most people, rather than being focused on material accumulation.