<p>Find the work you were born to do. Do what you were meant to do. Discover the work that makes you feel alive.</p><p>We've all heard these messages. Crack open any career, self-help, or personal development book on your shelf, and you're sure to find a similar message. It seems pretty convenient that our "purpose" in life is <em>work</em>, doesn't it?</p><p>In this episode, I unpack the "made for work" message, take it to its logical sci-fi ends, and draw on a key idea in the sociology of work to consider how we might shape the next 40 years into something more humane.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ul><li>"<a href="https://jacobin.com/2023/04/tiktok-dream-of-labor-meme-socialism-organize-labor-movement">If you 'don't dream of labor,' should organize for socialism</a>" by Caitlyn Clark for <em>Jacobin</em></li><li><em>Embassytown </em>by China Miéville</li><li><em>Translation State</em> by Ann Leckie</li><li><em>The Terraformers</em> by Annalee Newitz</li><li><em>The New Spirit of Capitalism </em>by Eve Chiapello &amp; Luc Boltanski</li></ul><p><em>Love What Works?</em> Become a premium subscriber for just $7 per month. Your subscription helps make my work sustainable and gets you access to twice-monthly <em>This is Not Advice</em> episodes, quarterly workshops, and more. <a href="https://www.whatworks.fyi/p/upgrade-your-subscription-and-support">Click here to learn more and preview the premium benefits!</a></p>

Strange New Work

Tara McMullin

Made for Work

OCT 19, 202327 MIN
Strange New Work

Made for Work

OCT 19, 202327 MIN

Description

Find the work you were born to do. Do what you were meant to do. Discover the work that makes you feel alive.

We've all heard these messages. Crack open any career, self-help, or personal development book on your shelf, and you're sure to find a similar message. It seems pretty convenient that our "purpose" in life is work, doesn't it?

In this episode, I unpack the "made for work" message, take it to its logical sci-fi ends, and draw on a key idea in the sociology of work to consider how we might shape the next 40 years into something more humane.

Footnotes:

Love What Works? Become a premium subscriber for just $7 per month. Your subscription helps make my work sustainable and gets you access to twice-monthly This is Not Advice episodes, quarterly workshops, and more. Click here to learn more and preview the premium benefits!