In recent days, I finished reading Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber, and I must say—it truly shocked me. Right from the beginning, the book hits hard with a survey showing that a significant portion of people… hate their jobs and consider them utterly pointless, contributing nothing meaningful to the world. The anthropologist initially introduces the topic in an amusing way, outlining the different types of meaningless jobs, before delving into the myriad of socio-economic causes and the rather grim consequences.
How can meaningless work affect us? Well, the effects can be devastating. The book tells the stories of individuals who fell into depression, even though their jobs might seem like a dream come true for many: they were paid well while doing almost nothing. But here’s the catch: the lack of a sense of purpose ruins all the fun and kills any motivation to act. It’s not enough to just pay someone; they need to feel that they are doing something meaningful. However, there’s a paradox here: the jobs that help others the most… are often the worst paid and least respected. How did we get to this point? That’s what the book explores.
I can’t say I’ve ever considered my work meaningless—I’m one of those people who, when thrown into such a situation, would start suffocating, rebelling, and go into “demon mode” to fight against nonsense. Over the past few years, I’ve encountered such situations, but looking back over that time, I’m grateful to be where I am today, building a product that has a tangible impact on many people. Sometimes I see it directly, other times indirectly. And what’s important is that when I see inefficiencies or flawed solutions in the company, I have the freedom to question and help eliminate or improve them.
What struck me more, though, was the concept in the book of “compensatory consumerism”—the idea that we sometimes engage in certain activities, like rigidly scheduled gym visits, yoga classes, or shopping for the latest electronic gadget, just to compensate for the fact that we don’t have time for a real life. The arrival of a child in my life has completely shifted my perspective. Although I’ve mentioned it in previous posts, I’ll emphasize it again: nothing can replace those experiences. A new phone? A sports car? Maybe a villa with a pool? Sorry, but none of that matters to me anymore. I’m fortunate to have realized relatively early that consumerism won’t bring me anything real—and it certainly won’t give me back the time I’ve spent elsewhere.
Although the author openly identifies as an anarchist, the book suggests a slightly left-leaning solution: universal basic income. Graeber acknowledges the difficulty of proposing this idea, knowing it will immediately attract criticism. Personally, I think his argument makes sense. While I was previously a staunch opponent of such a solution, believing some people are simply incapable of managing it, the book made me reevaluate my views and approach the issue differently.
To sum it up: I highly recommend this book. It’s a real eye-opener and broadens your horizons in unexpected ways.
