I think I've always found there to be some individuality and creativity in software work, so in this respect even when I'm burning out I feel more like Tony than Tommy.
>The theoretical basis of alienation within the capitalist mode of production is that the worker invariably loses the ability to determine life and destiny when deprived of the right to think (conceive) of themselves as the director of their own actions; to determine the character of said actions; to define relationships with other people; and to own those items of value from goods and services, produced by their own labour. Although the worker is an autonomous, self-realized human being, as an economic entity this worker is directed to goals and diverted to activities that are dictated by the bourgeoisie—who own the means of production—in order to extract from the worker the maximum amount of surplus value in the course of business competition among industrialists.
It makes a lot more sense for it to apply to software developers too with this definition.
My uncertainty was because I always found this concept a little vague around the edges. What the fuck even is a self realized human being, for instance? Would Tony be one and Tommy not? Or neither? Or would the example need to be fleshed out before you could say?
To stay with the kitchen examples, cooks would not be alienated if they could:
- afford to eat where they work
- have creative agency over the recipes
- have the chance to meet with the customers of the restaurant who eat their dishes
So... an autonomous, self realized human being is just another way of saying a human being? What additional meaning does it impart then?
>To stay with the kitchen examples, cooks would not be alienated if they could: >- afford to eat where they work >- have creative agency over the recipes >- have the chance to meet with the customers of the restaurant who eat their dishes
So Tony would be not-alienated and Tommy working at McDonalds would be only meet 1/3 of the alienation criteria?
And developers would meet more likely hit the criteria if they're working for an expensive B2B rather than a B2C?
(genuinely curious btw, this is an interesting conversation)
> So... an autonomous, self realized human being is just another way of saying a human being? What additional meaning does it impart then?
The thing is that the worker loses these innate human characteristics, such as being autonomous and self realized, by becoming an economic entity in a capitalist setting. That is how I understand it.
> So Tony would be not-alienated and Tommy working at McDonalds would be only meet 1/3 of the alienation criteria?
Perhaps it is important to consider the notion of sense of provided value. As Tommy, I wouldn't feel like what I'm doing is meaningful. I'm preparing low quality unhealthy food and I could be replaced at any time, making me similar to a tool. I agree tho that as Tony I wouldn't probably feel alienated.
But as I've never worked as a cook, perhaps it is easier to describe alienation as a software developer.
I'll take as an example 2 distinct jobs I had.
One in a small startup with a very flat hierarchy, where I was involved in most technical decisions and I met customers and users. It was a B2B model so I couldn't technically own the product I contributed to make, but I was somehow convinced that it would provide some value for the "greater good".
The other job was in a medium sized startup, where technical decisions were imposed from the top and I had very little agency. Being a large product, my contributions would only have tiny effects on the final result. I was "checked on" daily by anxious managers. I had no contact with our users, and this wasn't the kind of product people would make grateful reviews about.
Can you guess where is it that I felt alienated?