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I can’t remember exactly but this seems like a mischaracterisation.

I think it was termed more like “it is a bullshit job if the world would run just as well (or even better) if the job didn’t exist”.

Still relies on self-assessment but isn’t quite what you said. More based on some idea of “usefulness”. Play to earn doesn’t seem very useful.

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It has been a few years since I read the book. But I recall very clearly that he states that the definition is very narrow and strict in order not to get into subjective arguments on whether a job is necessary or shouldn't exist. For instance, one could argue that the world would be better off without telemarketing, yet the argument doesn't make telemarketing a bullshit job. IIRC, military was another example from the book of such a case.

To follow up with my own comment, here is the definition from the book:

> Final Working Definition: a bullshit job is a form of paid employment that is so completely pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence even though, as part of the conditions of employment, the employee feels obliged to pretend that this is not the case.

You're right mainly. Self-assessment was a filter he used, it wasn't the definition in itself.

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