Bulls**t Jobs: Questioning the nature of work
Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a major shift from the present model that many societies are utilizing. Over the next few years, based upon the attention this particular subject received, we believe the discussion will only increase.
An underlying component to all this is the idea of work. Automation is now a part of our lives, a result of the past 20 years. The next step in the process is autonomous machines that do not compliment humans, instead replacing them. We noted on different occasions our belief that this will only speed up as the technologies get more powerful.
David Graeber is author of the book "Bullshit Jobs". This is an extension of an article he wrote a few years ago by a similar title. His research concludes that roughly 40% of all jobs fall into the category of bullshit. They are roles that serve no purpose other than to provide a job for someone.
We are posting this because it is a concept that warrants discussion. The nature and meaning of work is something we are going to have to wrestle with. We neither support nor condemn Graeber's view on this matter. Our posting it is merely for educational and discussion purposes.
What are your thoughts on this fundamental issue?
Should we have jobs that are not really needed simply so someone can get a paycheck? Is there any reason why one should be employed in such a manner? Would society be better off since the cycle of money is the same if it simply paid the person, freeing up the time for, perhaps, a more productive purpose?
These are all questions that will be discussed once technological unemployment starts to take root.
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A key aspect of answering this question is to look at it as part of a new system not the way things are done now. Is it better to just pay people and let them decide what to productively do with their time?
Well if they’ve been educated in a way that fosters creativity and initiative, yes . If they are just going to degenerate into tv watching alcoholics, because they have had the personal agency trained out of them already, no.
UBI must be a part of a comprehensive system that sees all people as having intrinsic value, and sees education as being to help develop that natural capacity. Then people benefit their society because they get to, not because they have to.
I think we have some nice materials in Henry David Thoreau books.
"If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen."
This man was a visionnary!
It's such an interesting thing to think about. We're all just gonna have to be open to this and innovate.
The way I see it is people should figure out how to make money themselves. The government shouldn’t have to make BS jobs so someone’s lazy ass can be fed. The internet exist for gods sake. Learn something, start a business, get in debt to invest. There are options out there.
Go into debt to invest?
Really? And what happens if the investment turns south as all investments are apt to do?
The way I see it is to invest in real estate, you charge rent that is above your mortgage. So you can pay it back. Obviously with debt you need to be careful don’t buy in a town where there is no growth.
And you think this is a viable option for those in South Central LA? Or Ghana? Or El Salvador?
You do realize only about 1B people on this planet have access to any reliable banking at all?
Okay I see your point. I thought this article was more for economies like the US not third world countries.
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Even if we have the job all cos to receive the paycheque, what's the assurance that the job would last for long or the pay cheque would even enough to feed a family
I'm definitely for basic income. Working several year with welfare/economical assistance and the humiliation you put people through is just a waste of everyone's time and effort.
Have a decent basic income with no strings attached and help people with education, knowledge etc instead of controlling them.