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Doesn't it depend on whether the job holder himself thinks the job is BS? I'd say anecdotally there's a heck of a lot of people doing jobs that they themselves

Doesn't it depend on whether the job holder himself thinks the job is BS? I'd say anecdotally there's a heck of a lot of people doing jobs that they themselves don't think really contributes anything worthwhile. If you loosen the definition a bit you might also count things that the job holder would say could be done vastly better, which would start to encompass some of your middle managers and compliance people. I dare say most of what we do in society is essentially useless, it doesn't need to be done, and only exists because everyone in the current system needs to be seen to contribute. That need itself grew out of an inherited fear of hunger that might result if we let people slack off, and might take a long time for us to change.

pyuser583 4y ago
> Doesn't it depend on whether the job holder himself thinks the job is BS? That’s the initial definition, but eventually the author makes his own assessments. At once point he describes being in the military as a bullshit job. Tell that to the Ukrainians.
- Kwpolska 4y ago
  Ukraine is in a place in which an army is required for survival. But does a peaceful country surrounded by an ocean or by peaceful countries — say, Iceland or Austria — need a large army?
  - sokoloff 4y ago
    Do I need to exercise if I’m already fit and healthy? It’s quite plausible that some countries are peaceful because of the deterrent effect of their (and their allies’) military.
  - rufus_foreman 4y ago
    "Iceland's defence forces consist of the Icelandic Coast Guard, which patrols Icelandic waters and monitors its airspace, and other services such as the National Commissioner's National Security and Special Forces Units. Iceland maintains no standing army, the only NATO member for which this is the case. The Coast Guard consists of three ships and four aircraft" -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_of_Iceland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_of_Iceland
  - pyuser583 4y ago
    Even if you’re not at war, a military is necessary to enforce neutrality. For example, if a pilot from a belligerent country crashes in your territory, they must be internet for the duration of the war. You’ll also want a military to evacuate your nationals from places like Afghanistan, and manage defectors trying to reach another power. There’s also a good chance you’ll be asked to participate it peacekeeping forces. You don’t need a large army. You might not even need a standing army: reservists might do. But you need some military capacity.

pyuser583 4y ago

> Doesn't it depend on whether the job holder himself thinks the job is BS? That’s the initial definition, but eventually the author makes his own assessments. At once point he describes being in the military as a bullshit job. Tell that to the Ukrainians.

Kwpolska 4y ago
Ukraine is in a place in which an army is required for survival. But does a peaceful country surrounded by an ocean or by peaceful countries — say, Iceland or Austria — need a large army?
- sokoloff 4y ago
  Do I need to exercise if I’m already fit and healthy? It’s quite plausible that some countries are peaceful because of the deterrent effect of their (and their allies’) military.
- rufus_foreman 4y ago
  "Iceland's defence forces consist of the Icelandic Coast Guard, which patrols Icelandic waters and monitors its airspace, and other services such as the National Commissioner's National Security and Special Forces Units. Iceland maintains no standing army, the only NATO member for which this is the case. The Coast Guard consists of three ships and four aircraft" -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_of_Iceland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_of_Iceland
- pyuser583 4y ago
  Even if you’re not at war, a military is necessary to enforce neutrality. For example, if a pilot from a belligerent country crashes in your territory, they must be internet for the duration of the war. You’ll also want a military to evacuate your nationals from places like Afghanistan, and manage defectors trying to reach another power. There’s also a good chance you’ll be asked to participate it peacekeeping forces. You don’t need a large army. You might not even need a standing army: reservists might do. But you need some military capacity.