I was sad to read this. I enjoyed reading “Bullshit Jobs” and some of the other books from this LSE anthropologist.
That’s a shame. I’m presently reading that book and see much relevance of what he says, and looked forward to further views of his.
Mm. Maybe as an office worker, my job isn’t as important as telling everyone how terrible their lives are, but I do my job well and it keeps me eating.
Graeber’s point is more than many people believe their own jobs are inessential and more or less meaningless. And, of course, that many jobs unnecessary and the people in them may be better employed doing socially useful jobs. If we cut out all the harmful work that would be unnecessary in a economy that wasn’t driven by profit flowing up the bosses, heck, we could all work a 15 hour week and lift everyone out of poverty.
And to commemorate David Graeber and Labor Day, this poem, author unknown:
The Two Bums
The bum on the rods is hunted down
as the enemy of mankind.
The bum on the plush is driven 'round to his club,
is feted, wined, and dined.
And they that curse the bum on the rods
as the essence on all that’s bad
Greet the other with a wining smile
and extend the hand so glad.
The bum on the rods is a social flea
who gets an occasional bite.
The bum on the plush is a social leech,
bloodsucking day and night
The bum on the rods is a load so light
his weight we scarcely feel.
But it takes the labor of dozens of men
to furnish the other a meal.
As long as we sanction the bum on the plush
the other will always be there.
But rid ourselves of the bum on the plush
and the other will disappear.
So make an intelligent, organised kick:
get rid of the weights that crush.
Don’t about the bum on the rods:
get rid of the bum on the plush!