Somebody Has to Do It: Deciphering Dirty Work and the Shadow People with Eyal Press

Dirty, dangerous and sometimes morally troubling jobs are held by innumerable people around the world, but as the saying goes, someone has to do it.

Society often stigmatizes these jobs, and though they are often necessary to the safety, security and health of society, the individuals performing this work are frequently marginalized, impoverished and forced to bear real physical and psychological risks. 

We dig into the murky social and moral context of dirty work with award-winning author, Eyal Press, who, through the examination of correctional officers and inmates in America’s penal system, military drone operators and more, explores the inequity of power in society that gives context to some of the more dangerous, violent and often ethically troubling jobs.

So join us as we roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty as we dig in to the complex issue of dirty jobs.

Must Mentions

@eyal.press

"Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequity in America", Eyal Press

https://www.amazon.ca/Dirty-Work-Essential-Inequality-America-ebook/dp/B08FGV8KCM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4HBAM315KKNI&keywords=eyal+press&qid=1678228633&sprefix=eyal+pres%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1

Sources

“The 30 Weirdest Jobs in the World”

https://www.careeraddict.com/strange-jobs

“Into The Tunnels: Exploring The Underside Of NYC”

https://www.npr.org/2011/01/02/132482428/into-the-tunnels-exploring-the-underside-of-nyc

“The Worst Jobs in the World Matrix”

https://www.payscale.com/career-advice/the-worst-jobs-in-the-world-matrix-infographic/

“Groom of the Stool”

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Groom-of-the-Stool/

“Top 10 Dirty Jobs”

https://work.chron.com/top-10-dirty-jobs-19406.html

“The Dirty Jobs Matter Most”

https://hoards.com/article-14837-the-dirty-jobs-matter-most.html

“Dirty Work, Dirty Worker? Stigmatisation and coping strategies among domestic workers.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879115300130#:~:text=Everett%20Hughes%20(1951)%20introduced%20the,perceived%20as%20disgusting%20or%20degrading.

“From dog food taster to eel ecologist: six jobs that are surprisingly enjoyable”

https://amp.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/05/from-dog-food-taster-to-eel-ecologist-six-jobs-that-are-surprisingly-enjoyable

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