Work Without the Worker: Labour in the Age of Platform Capitalism

The future of work will be increasingly automated, but millions of workers in the Global South are manually processing data for a pittance. This hidden and rarely spoken of form of labor is an increasingly powerful part of the new digital economy, but what happens when it makes itself obsolete? Phil Jones' work explores what this form of labor looks like and what it says about the state of global capitalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2021
Publisher: Verso Books

The future of work is predicted to be increasingly automated, with algorithms processing vast amounts of information at remarkable speeds leading to a utopian post-work society with boundless leisure. However, this rosy picture obscures the reality of millions of workers in the Global South who are manually processing data for meager wages. Online crowdworking platforms like Amazon's Mechanical Turk and Clickworker have emerged as significant sources of employment for people worldwide. These platforms utilize human labor to perform tasks such as data entry, image recognition, and other repetitive operations that are not easily replaced by algorithms. While these tasks may seem insignificant, they are essential to the functioning of our digital lives. Algorithms are primarily used to process data for advanced technologies like self-driving cars and Google image search. They are powerful tools that have revolutionized industries and improved efficiency. However, they are not capable of performing the same level of nuanced and creative tasks that humans can. The rise of automation and the prevalence of online crowdworking platforms have raised questions about the future of work. What will happen to the millions of workers who are currently employed in low-wage jobs that are susceptible to automation? Will they be able to transition to new occupations that require human skills and creativity? Or will they be left behind, struggling to make ends meet in a society that values efficiency and productivity above all else? Phil Jones' book "The Future of Work: When Machines Make Humans Obsolete" explores this complex issue from a political economy, contemporary work, and capitalist perspectives. Jones examines the murky and hidden form of labor that is often overlooked in discussions about automation and the digital economy. He sheds light on the experiences of workers who are engaged in these low-wage jobs and the challenges they face in a society that values productivity and efficiency above all else. Through his analysis, Jones argues that the future of work will be shaped by a combination of automation, job displacement, and the emergence of new forms of work. He suggests that workers will need to adapt and acquire new skills to remain employable in an increasingly competitive job market. Additionally, governments and businesses will need to prioritize job creation, education, and social safety nets to ensure that workers are not left behind as the world of work continues to evolve. In conclusion, the future of work is predicted to be increasingly automated, with algorithms processing vast amounts of information at remarkable speeds leading to a utopian post-work society with boundless leisure. However, this rosy picture obscures the reality of millions of workers in the Global South who are manually processing data for meager wages. The rise of automation and the prevalence of online crowdworking platforms have raised questions about the future of work and the need for workers to adapt and acquire new skills to remain employable. Phil Jones' book "The Future of Work: When Machines Make Humans Obsolete" provides valuable insights into this complex issue and offers solutions for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Weight: 202g
Dimension: 205 x 135 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839760433