Work and vocation
idea
The ways Sugar Babies navigate two roles: lover and employee
‘Sugaring’ involves the commodification of romance – presenting a puzzle of love, labour and autonomy for those involved
by Brynn Valentine
Play
idea
The achievement society is burning us out, we need more play
This is about more than a self-help switch – it will take structural changes to reject capitalism’s productivity obsession
by Alec Stubbs
Work and vocation
idea
Why do so many people think they are in a bullshit job?
Researchers continue to debate whether some jobs are inherently useless – but all agree it’s harmful to see your job this way
by Shayla Love
Neurodiversity
idea
Adapting to the neurotypical world is not the same as conforming
As an autistic person, this is how I draw the line between adapting in a way that’s good for me and simple conformity
by Jack Ori
Goals and motivation
idea
Facing a tedious to-do list? This trick could make it easier
The ‘easy addendum effect’: how careful timing of your easier tasks could help you feel better at the end of the day
by Shayla Love
Thinkers and theories
idea
Learning to be a loser: a philosopher’s case for doing nothing
For Emil Cioran, a life devoid of action, practical ambitions and busyness is a life in which room has been made for meaning
by Costica Bradatan
Work and vocation
idea
Why AI surveillance at work leads to perverse outcomes
In the name of efficiency, workplace AI technologies shift burdens long-assumed by employers onto workers
by Karen Levy
Work and vocation
idea
Kafka warned us: surveillance turns the watched into watchers
Surveillance changes us in powerful ways, as Franz Kafka warned. Neither the watched nor their watcher escapes unscathed
by George Alliger
Stories and literature
idea
Are successful authors creative geniuses or literary labourers?
Some writers are explorers, like Edgar Allan Poe. Others are exploiters, like Jules Verne. Which type is better off?
by Oleg Sobchuk
Work and vocation
idea
The idea of a ‘surgeon’s personality’ won’t fix the profession
What can explain why surgeons are leaving the profession in their droves? Clue: it’s not a failure of their personality
by Agnes Arnold-Forster
Gender
idea
The reality of prostitution is not complex. It is simple
Prostitution is not sex and it’s not work. Its reality is far from complex – in fact, it’s simple. Trust me, I’ve done it
by Rachel Moran
Goals and motivation
idea
Why some teams boost motivation while others totally sap it
Working in a team can inspire striving – or encourage free-riding. What makes a difference is how the teamwork is designed
by Ann-Kathrin Torka, Jens Mazei & Joachim Hüffmeier