Jobflation is real

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit theculturejournalist.substack.comIn this week’s subscriber-only episode, Andrea and Emilie introduce listeners to Emilie’s concept of “jobflation,” based on her observation that more and more of the “laptop jobs” on the market now actually seem like three or four jobs rolled into one. In other words, just like with the decreased spending power of the U.S. dollar, it can feel like every task we perform at work is suddenly counting for “less.” We discuss some of the nightmarish role descriptions that have been circulating on job sites of late (want to be an “AI editor” publishing 200-250 articles a week?), the macro factors contributing to this corporate divestment in knowledge work, and how jobflation and related phenomena like “ghost jobs” and “quiet hiring” are creating a perfect storm of disfunction for workers and employment-seekers alike.Support our independent journalism by becoming a paid subscriber at theculturejournalist.substack.com. Paid subscribers receive free bonus episodes every month, along with full essays and culture recommendations.Keep it weird with The Culture Journalist on Instagram.