This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
As we navigate the complexities of modern work, it's essential to confront the harsh reality of 'bullshit jobs.' These are positions that are not only unfulfilling but also unnecessary, often masquerading as meaningful employment.
David Graeber, a professor of anthropology at the London School of Economics, shed light on this phenomenon in his thought-provoking book, Bullshit Jobs, released in 2018. Graeber's work challenges us to reevaluate the purpose of our work and the impact it has on our lives.
So, what exactly is a BS job? According to Graeber, it's a form of paid employment that is so pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence. The book identifies five categories of BS jobs: flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, and taskmasters.
Flunkies, for instance, are individuals who exist solely to make someone else look or feel important. This category is all too familiar in Kenya, where people have made lifelong careers from being in the entourages of 'big' persons while doing almost nothing themselves.
Goons, on the other hand, are people who engage in aggressive activities or act as hired muscle on behalf of others. This category includes modern jobs like lobbyists, spin specialists, telemarketers, social media mercenaries, and even some types of lawyers.
Duct tapers are individuals who only exist because a problem exists that ought not to exist. They spend their lives correcting the damage done by incompetent superiors, soothing egos, and negotiating compromises.
Box tickers, or employees whose existence allows an organisation to claim it is doing something that it is, in fact, not doing, are another category. This includes sitting on pointless official commissions, working in 'compliance' to show all is well when it is not, creating more bureaucracy, and writing long reports that no one will read.
Taskmasters, the final category, are unnecessary superiors who exist only to assign duties to others, duties they are perfectly able to carry out by themselves.
It's essential to note that a 'bullshit' job is not the same as a 'shit' job. The latter might be arduous and poorly paid, but might still be necessary; the former has the whiff of being superfluous and unnecessary.
As Graeber so aptly puts it, 'A life spent on nonsense, even a well-remunerated one, is a life wasted.'
So, how can you tell if you're stuck in a BS job? Pay attention to your work and ask yourself if it's truly meaningful. If not, it's time to walk away and find a career that brings you fulfillment and purpose.
