On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs

Re:On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs by api on Monday August 19, 2013 @11:04AM (#6237583)

Great job mentioning Skinner boxes. I think this might be another dimension to this pathology: to what extent is our economy a Skinner box?

And you're technically right about classical Puritans. They would regard a lot of what we "do" today as BS make-work, not true work. But I think that distinction has been lost. The "work ethic" is an example of what I call a "zombie idea," an idea missing its head that continues to march on through a culture and eat peoples' brains.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs by toomuchtodo on Monday August 19, 2013 @11:46AM (#6237853)

I work in the ad industry. I'd argue that the entire ad industry exists as a skinner box, tweaking settings and turning knobs with the sole goal of having consumers consumer more of their product.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs by crooneys on Monday August 19, 2013 @06:00PM (#6240203)

Same and agreed

[ Parent | on HN ]