Bullshit Jobs

by David Graeber
Bullshit Jobs cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Politics and Current Affairs
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  • ID: 11584
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780241267363
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2018-05-15
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Bullshit Jobs,' David Graeber delves into the phenomenon of jobs that seem to contribute little to society, despite the promise of technology reducing our workload. He explores how work has become an end in itself and how these jobs maintain the current broken system of finance capital. The book is a call to action, encouraging readers to reconsider the purpose of work and envision a better way to run our world. Graeber's insights are both spectacular and terrifyingly true, offering a thought-provoking and often funny perspective on the state of modern employment. This book is essential reading for anyone who has ever questioned the necessity of their job or believed there must be a better way to organize our society.

Reviews
davidgraeber.org · Michael Ferber · 2026-03-10
critical 3.50

The book defines bullshit jobs as pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious employment that even the employee cannot justify. It offers a critical perspective on modern work.

Michael Ferber defines bullshit jobs as those that are so pointless or pernicious that even the employees can't justify their existence. He sees the book as a critical look at modern work, highlighting the frustration and lack of fulfillment many people experience in their jobs. Ferber appreciates Graeber's boldness in addressing this often-overlooked issue.

Quick quotes

    A bullshit job is a form of paid employment that is so completely pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence.

    Graeber offers a critical perspective on modern work.

    The book highlights the frustration and lack of fulfillment many people experience in their jobs.

Sapiens · 2024-10-15
enlightening 4.50

Graeber's theory provides a critical window into why modern work is often soul-sucking. The book explores the spiritual violence of bullshit jobs.

The reviewer sees Graeber's theory as a critical lens through which to understand the soul-sucking nature of modern work. They highlight the concept of spiritual violence, suggesting that bullshit jobs can be deeply damaging to individuals. The book is praised for its insightful exploration of this often-neglected aspect of employment.

Quick quotes

    Anthropologist David Graeber's theory of BS jobs provides a critical window into why modern work is so often so soul-sucking.

    The book explores the spiritual violence of bullshit jobs.

    Graeber's work is insightful and deeply damaging to individuals.

The Guardian · 2018-05-25
insightful 4.00

This book portrays a society that has lost sight of its purpose. Economies are described as vast and inefficient, highlighting the personal misery caused by meaningless jobs.

The reviewer paints a vivid picture of a society that has forgotten its purpose, driven by economies that are vast and inefficient. They highlight the personal misery that comes from jobs that feel meaningless, suggesting that Graeber's work is a poignant critique of modern employment. The book is seen as a call to rethink our values and the role of work in our lives.

Quick quotes

    As well as documenting personal misery, this book is a portrait of a society that has forgotten what it is for.

    Our economies have become 'vast machines for producing nonsense'.

    Graeber's work is a poignant critique of modern employment.

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