Reviews

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber

brenttrek's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.5

marusinp's review against another edition

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5.0

Many (not only work-related) phenomena described by Graeber are imo crucial glitches of our current society which tend to be absent from a public discourse.
I think that it's not because we are not aware of them - on the contrary, we know very well that there is a problem but have no idea how to deal w/ it. Therefore even discussion is difficult & painful (the same can be said about the climate change).

katieeeee's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

kerriekerrie's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.5

playeririreads's review against another edition

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5.0

Looking forward to the day when everyone can get their universal basic income and do the kind of work they truly want.

thirdcoasttomes's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

3.25

rorytalia's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

peaches7cream's review against another edition

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In the third chapter, Dr. Graeber’s perspective of prison labor and its value to society is so devoid of nuance I found it shocking. I find Dr. Graeber’s positive perception of prison labor, which is slave labor, and it’s “benefit” to society to be completely antithetical to the point he is trying to make about “Bullshit Jobs” because these jobs are obtained under the illusion of choice and performed as a method of survival in the absence of freedom and genuine free will. Even if a job produces a result, I do not believe any job can be of benefit to an individual or society if it’s done for the sake of punishment and/or within captivity. 

mimosaeyes's review against another edition

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informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

I started reading this on a Sunday night, figuring it would suit my mood/frame of mind as I stared down the barrel of another work week. Well, it did - and it made it impossible for me to head into the office on Monday. In fact, I simply did not go; I made some excuse. And my current job isn't even the most bullshit one I've had. Going by the typology that Graeber proposes in chapter two, that would be when I briefly worked in banking and felt like a black hole had taken up residence at the core of me.

In a word, this is enlightening. Radicalising? Maybe. I read the first few chapters, especially, with a feeling like my breath kept catching in my throat. I didn't always feel convinced by some of the ideas, but a lot of it rang true. Also, I was kind of worried, going into this book, that I would end up feeling like it worked best as a short, viral essay. Turns out? Absolutely not. This is well-structured and well-argued. And a substantial hit to my ability to work, but c'est la vie.

chicana99's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

Foucalt being into BDSM just noted as a little easter egg in the end really threw me tbh!
This was a really engaging book. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It articulates so many bullshit aspects of work as it is today. I especially appreciated the spiritual strain being fleshed out, the recognition of harm and the engagements with acknowledging gendered violence alongside concepts of work. This has been a much-loved read for me at the time, as an eco-anarchist and hospo worker who has been quite disabled by the killer effects of long-covid. Thinking about the UBI, volunteering and work in newly-coloured ways. RIP David Graeber. Gen z appreciates u x