

#3381
Mentioned in 8 episodes
Bartleby, the Scrivener
A Story of Wall Street
Book • 2012
The story, narrated by an unnamed lawyer, revolves around Bartleby, a scrivener hired to copy legal documents.
Initially, Bartleby is a diligent worker, but he soon begins to refuse tasks with the repetitive phrase 'I would prefer not to'.
Despite the lawyer's attempts to reason with him, Bartleby's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, leading to his eventual arrest and tragic end.
The story delves into themes of alienation, the mechanical nature of work, and the societal expectations of the mid-19th century.
It is often interpreted as a critique of the sterility and impersonality of the legal and business world of that era.
Initially, Bartleby is a diligent worker, but he soon begins to refuse tasks with the repetitive phrase 'I would prefer not to'.
Despite the lawyer's attempts to reason with him, Bartleby's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, leading to his eventual arrest and tragic end.
The story delves into themes of alienation, the mechanical nature of work, and the societal expectations of the mid-19th century.
It is often interpreted as a critique of the sterility and impersonality of the legal and business world of that era.
Mentioned by














Mentioned in 8 episodes
Mentioned by 

in relation to the "quiet quitting" phenomenon, referencing Melville's story as an early exploration of knowledge work.


Cal Newport

245 snips
Ep. 214: Quiet Quitting
Mentioned by 

as an example of someone who didn't give a fuck about anything.


Michael Hobbs

73 snips
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Mentioned by 

as one of Melville's great short stories.


John Gray

71 snips
John Gray on Pessimism, Liberalism, and Theism
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when introducing the Bartleby principle of resisting technological inevitability.

Brad East

53 snips
AI, The Infinite Work Day, And The Finite Pastor
Mentioned by 

as an example of small-scale non-compliance that can be effective in challenging institutions.


Brooke Harrington

42 snips
1. The Network State with Brooke Harrington and Dave Karpf
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a prelude to an upcoming episode on Moby Dick.

A.J. Hanenberg

12 snips
275: Herman Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener"
Mencionado por Farid y Diego durante el análisis de la canción "Basureta" de Kase.O.

104: Basureta Kase. O - Análisis de canción.
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as the author of "Bartleby, the Scrivener", a short story used to illustrate the impossibility of complete societal withdrawal.

Graham Culbertson

154. Hannah Arendt and Civil Disobedience -- John McGowan
Mentioned by the host in relation to his character Bartleby Scrivener and the concept of non-agency.

An Introduction to Mexican Philosophy with Carlos Alberto Sánchez
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as an example of fiction and in relation to the concept of strange behavior becoming defined behavior.

Vas Christodoulou

Masud Husain - A Neurologist’s Guide to the Self and the Brain
Mentioned by Philip Coggan when discussing the character Bartleby, who wouldn't work.

Crude awakening: the Arab world after oil
Mentioned by Philip Coggan in reference to the character Bartleby, who wouldn't work.

Crude awakening: the Arab world after oil
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a reference in a flip comic version.

Tim Bowling

Tim Bowling, "In the Capital City of Autumn" (Wolsak & Wynn, 2024)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as being related to helping people with defaulted loans.

Melody Wright

Melody Wright: Extreme Corrections are Coming in Housing Markets