Eyal Press, an author and journalist known for his work on essential yet overlooked jobs, joins the discussion on the moral complexities of 'dirty work.' They delve into examples like drone pilots and meatpackers, shedding light on how these roles reveal societal inequalities related to class, race, and gender. The conversation explores the psychological toll on workers who face ethical dilemmas in oppressive environments, as well as the societal detachment from the consequences of this labor. Press emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing all forms of work.
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insights INSIGHT
Defining Dirty Work
"Dirty work" isn't just unpleasant tasks.
It involves morally troubling actions society condones but ignores.
insights INSIGHT
Inequality and Responsibility
Inequality dictates who performs dirty work and who bears responsibility.
Lower-ranking individuals often take the blame for systemic issues.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Drone Strikes and Disengagement
Drone strikes exemplify how dirty work benefits a disengaged public.
The public avoids confronting the moral costs of these hidden actions.
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Vox’s Jamil Smith talks with journalist and author Eyal Press about "dirty work" — the jobs Americans do that, as Press explains, can lead workers to perform morally compromising activities unwittingly. They discuss examples of this kind of work (drone pilots, meat packers, prison aides), talk about its relation to the term "essential workers" that gained prominence during the pandemic, and explain how certain jobs highlight the disparities of class, race, and gender in American society.
Host: Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith), Senior Correspondent, Vox
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
