Cory Doctorow@pluralistic@mamot.fr
Today's threads (a thread)
Inside: Which jobs can be replaced with AI? and more!
Archived at: https://pluralistic.net/2025/08/06/unmerchantable-substitute-goods/
#Pluralistic
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Cory Doctorow@pluralistic@mamot.fr
Dennis Mansell@dennmans@mastodon.online
@pluralistic@mamot.fr I was recently lectured by a software development manager that I should attend the 'daily standup'. When I asked why they thought that was the case, they live-chatGPTed the answer. Honestly, I preferred it when managers stuck to misquoting the Scrum Guide. Definitely a prime candidate for replacement by AI.
RRB@rrb@infosec.exchange
@pluralistic@mamot.fr I think AI can replace C-suite workers and university administrators. There would be real cost savings. And it would let people do useful labor.
@pheonix@fosstodon.org
@pluralistic@mamot.fr this is such a good point, if all customer service reps do is recite phrases from their guidelines, then sure AI can and will replace them. Not like these people were given any agency in the first place!
Cory Doctorow@pluralistic@mamot.fr
Hey, German-speakers! Through a very weird set of circumstances, I ended up owning the rights to the German audiobook of my bestselling 2022 cryptocurrency heist technothriller Red Team Blues and now I'm selling DRM-free audio and ebooks, along with the paperback (all in German and English) on a Kickstarter that runs until August 11:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/red-team-blues-auf-deutsche-drm-freie
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Bent Chinrest@paneerakbari@mas.to
@rrb@infosec.exchange @pluralistic@mamot.fr I'm always fairly curious about who is included in that "university administrators" label, because there are loads of essential, professional workers on university campuses who never see the the inside of a classroom
@algaeman@mastodon.social
@rrb@infosec.exchange @pluralistic@mamot.fr Entire marketing departments will be shuttered. Bullshitting is the industry that will be hit hardest by the automated bullshit machines.
JWarner@Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop
@rrb@infosec.exchange @pluralistic@mamot.fr
Given how much my last CEO and CPO used GPT clients, I project that their average work day was 3 hours long each. They spend most of their time on outside projects anyway - basically working on their personal brand.
RRB@rrb@infosec.exchange
@algaeman@mastodon.social @pluralistic@mamot.fr I find that Gujarat People Typing (GPT) can automate the least pleasant work tasks (sycophancy and racial discrimination) that make up about 70% of the average American worker's day. By having the machine brown nose and make life miserable for minorities instead of insisting people do it, significant cost savings can be achieved. It will also make most workers happier.
RRB@rrb@infosec.exchange
@paneerakbari@mas.to @pluralistic@mamot.fr
I am specifically referring to Deans, Associate Deans, Provosts, Associate Provosts, Presidents and associated staff positions. See:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00346764.2021.1940255?ref=404media.co#d1e196
People doing finance, registrars, and 99% of staff positions are not included.
@isagalaev@mastodon.social
@Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop @rrb@infosec.exchange @pluralistic@mamot.fr hm.... as an engineer, I'm not afraid to admit that 3-4 hours a day is about as much as I ever could do any useful work (sustainably over time, not including occasional spurts). And I think it's entirely normal for the kind of job that doesn't require keeping watch or anything like that.
a.k.a. low-profile@Nead@social.vivaldi.net
@Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop @rrb@infosec.exchange @pluralistic@mamot.fr Yeah, have you ever read those interviews with CEO's that beg the question, 'what does your day consist of?'
It's always like, "I get up at 7:00, hit the gym, have a light breakfast, then I get a few calls out of the way. After walking the dogs and a few laps in the pool, I head to work on my eBike at 11:00."
It's like they have this rock star rider tour contract. "Coffee & Bagel truck on Wednesday's must park next to the tennis courts."
RRB@rrb@infosec.exchange
@Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop @pluralistic@mamot.fr I find the less presence of managers in the workplace the better for all concerned.
RRB@rrb@infosec.exchange
@Nead@social.vivaldi.net @Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop @pluralistic@mamot.fr Be glad you never have to see the jerks.
JWarner@Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop
@rrb@infosec.exchange @Nead@social.vivaldi.net @pluralistic@mamot.fr Oh, I used to have the sorts of jobs where you go on executive retreats and attend meetings with the CEO. I remember saying no to one dumb idea, and watching the ripples of shocked silence spread through the room.
It will not surprise you that in that particular organization I didn't have to attend any more meetings with the CEO.
Trying not to draw parallels to boys generally not being good with the word no, but it's hard. So hard.
JWarner@Jeanniewarner@wandering.shop
@rrb@infosec.exchange @Nead@social.vivaldi.net @pluralistic@mamot.fr Oh, I used to have the sorts of jobs where you go on executive retreats and attend meetings with the CEO. I remember saying no to one dumb idea, and watching the ripples of shocked silence spread through the room.
It will not surprise you that in that particular organization I didn't have to attend any more meetings with the CEO.
Trying not to draw parallels to boys generally not being good with the word no, but it's hard. So hard.