I started reading this book by David Graeber several months ago soon
after it was published in May 2018. But it proved difficult as with
any other book last years, so I moved to the last resort: audiobook
version. Usually, it works this way based on my previous experience.
The book is interesting, I can't write a review yet since I'm still
in the process of listening to it but the main thing I'm interested
in, whether my job is bullshit or not.
If we turn to the definition which Graeber gives, namely 'a form of
paid employment that is so completely pointless, unnecessary, or
pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence even
though, as part of the conditions of employment, the employee feels
obliged to pretend that this is not the case', then, I guess, my job
satisfies it. My job is a form of paid employment since I'm paid
quite a decent salary for doing it. My job is neither pernicious nor
pointless in itself, but it is really unnecessary. Whether I work for
the company or not doesn't make any tangible difference for its
clients or owners. But I need to pretend that this is not the case.
That I'm a useful member of the large team. That clients' experience
can be improved, and even profits can rise because of my work. At
least I need to create presentations about how my projects are great
and valuable from time to time.
Am I happy with my job? Yes, I am. At least, its the best job I've
ever had. Am I trying to provide any kind of useful service to
others? Well, that depends wholly on my own initiative. And as far as
I like helping different people doing fun things, I even try to be of
some use to colleagues in other departments. I feel it immoral to be
lazy. And that is another point of my reading the book. Why do I do
that kind of job? Why does a seemingly shareholders-owned business
entity want to pay me for doing, well, something research-ish? I want
to come up with some answers eventually.
