The rise of the pointless job

Summary

David Graeber’s article, “‘I Had to Guard an Empty Room’: The Rise of the Pointless Job,” explores the phenomenon of “pointless jobs,” jobs that have no real purpose or value. Graeber identifies five types of pointless jobs: “flunkies,” “goons,” “duct-tapers,” “box-tickers,” and “taskmasters.” He argues that these jobs are not only frustrating for workers but also harmful to the economy and society as a whole. Through anecdotes and testimonies, Graeber highlights the absurdity of these jobs, which often require employees to pretend to be productive when in reality they contribute nothing. The text invites reflection on the nature of contemporary work and the social and economic implications of a growing presence of pointless occupations.