Job Value

[packbat]

Last year, conuly posted a story about an (idiot) office worker disdaining construction work, in which she pointed out the obvious fact that construction work is not only well-paid, but necessary. I was reminded of it today by a fellow commenting on Pharyngula, and that got me thinking about the classic "good job"/"bad job" distinctions people make.

And it hit me. I can't think of any bad jobs.

Give it a moment. Food service? You help bring tasty cheeseburgers to people and make them happy. Garbage collection? I can't find the quote, but I remember someone once said one measure of a civilization was how fast waste is moved away from the people. Middle management? I was a Boy Scout, I know how much chaos arises from a lack of good leadership. Advertising? Well, it may be the capitalist in me, but if having the cash to burn on ads signals confidence in the profitability of the product, advertisement should (with a few exceptions) be a useful indicator of quality. Even professional sports – the closest thing to a useless job I've thought of yet – encourage physical recreation (public health!), and (I suspect) improvements in some kinds of medicine and surgery.

What do you all think? Am I missing some useless occupation? Some useful occupation, too often derided? What do you say?

Comments

[hallan.livejournal.com]

Dirty politician. Con artist. Telemarketer.

Hallan

PS- I'd forgotten how awesome Absurd Notions was. Too bad it died. :(

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

Scroll way back in those archives and you might think of one.

[feech.livejournal.com]

I agree.

Well, wait-- can you defend telemarketing?

Although if you believe idle hands are the devil's workshop, then any occupation is by defintion of use.

[kadyg.livejournal.com]

Poodle groomer?

But seriously, I keep thinking of useful jobs which are put to useless means. The most glaring (to me) is a New York party planner who arranged to have a floor painted to resemble a flower-filled meadow for a one-night event - the next day the floor was stripped back to its original finish. He managed to employ caterers, muscians, waitstaff, bartenders, painters, decorators, djs and all manner of other people for a ONE NIGHT event that a handful of people got to enjoy. The Socialist in me winces, but the chef wonders what sort of food was served.

[goblinpaladin.livejournal.com]

Pawnbroker.

[bardricks227.livejournal.com]

Garbage collection? I can't find the quote, but I remember someone once said one measure of a civilization was how fast waste is moved away from the people.

GREAT OBSERVATION!*LOL*

How about golf caddy, slaughter house attandant, dog groomer?

Bardo
www.findmypaydayloan.com (https://www.findmypaydayloan.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1)

[barnums09.livejournal.com]

I guess all jobs are GOOD, as long as it is legal. I think that the basis of most individuals when classifying a job as “good or “bad” is how much the job pays. If the job entails much work yet it pays little, then that is classified as “bad” job.

I just think that whatever job you are in, as long as you do your best and not hurt anyone, and it pays you, then that’s a good job.

Sabrina Falcons
www.findmypaydayloan.com (https://www.findmypaydayloan.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1)