The moral dangers of dirty work

May 5, 2022

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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INSIGHT

Defining Dirty Work

"Dirty work" isn't just unpleasant tasks.
It involves morally troubling actions society condones but ignores.

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INSIGHT

Inequality and Responsibility

Inequality dictates who performs dirty work and who bears responsibility.
Lower-ranking individuals often take the blame for systemic issues.

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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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The Hidden Burden of Dirty Work

01:46 • 4min

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The Struggles of Last Resort Employment

05:52 • 1min

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The Geography of Dirty Work

07:22 • 11min

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Exploring Moral Injury in the Context of Social Inequality

18:50 • 5min

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Unveiling 'Dirty Work': Race, Class, and Labor Rights

24:02 • 24min

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The Ethics of 'Dirty Work'

47:32 • 8min

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The Hidden Costs of American Exceptionalism

55:29 • 2min

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#442

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Published in 1906, 'The Jungle' follows the life of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkus and his family as they navigate the brutal realities of working-class life in Chicago's meatpacking district, known as Packingtown. The novel highlights issues such as public health hazards, extreme poverty, and the cruel treatment of workers and animals. Despite Sinclair's intention to expose labor abuses, the public reaction primarily focused on the sanitation issues in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant legislative changes, including the passage of the U.S. Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

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Invisible Man

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In 'Invisible Man,' Ralph Ellison tells the story of a nameless black protagonist who navigates the surreal and often hostile world of 20th-century America. The novel begins with the narrator living in an underground room, reflecting on his life and the various ways he has experienced social invisibility. He recounts his journey from a small Southern town to Harlem, involving experiences with racism, a brutal 'battle royal,' and his involvement with the Brotherhood, a civil rights group. The narrative delves into themes of identity, power, and the struggle for self-definition in a society that refuses to see him. Through his experiences, the narrator grapples with the complexities of being a black man in America, ultimately leading to a profound exploration of invisibility and the search for one's true self.

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The civilizing process

Norbert Elias

The Civilizing Process is a comprehensive work that explores the social and cultural shifts in European society from the medieval period to the 19th century. Elias argues that civilization is a dynamic process linked to changes in power relations, economic structures, and state institutions. The book examines the transformation of manners, etiquette, and self-restraint, and how these changes led to the emergence of the modern state and the internalization of societal norms. It is divided into two main volumes: 'The History of Manners' and 'State Formation and Civilization'

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Dirty Work

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Alex Press

Good People and Dirty Work

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Everett C. Hughes

Everett C. Hughes's "Good People and Dirty Work" is a seminal essay in sociology that explores the relationship between moral responsibility and social roles. Hughes uses the example of post-World War II Germany to illustrate how seemingly "good" people can participate in or condone morally reprehensible actions. He argues that the division of labor creates a system where individuals can distance themselves from the consequences of their actions, leading to a diffusion of responsibility. Hughes's work highlights the importance of understanding the social context in which moral choices are made and the ways in which social structures can enable or excuse unethical behavior. The essay's enduring relevance lies in its insights into the complexities of moral responsibility in a complex social world. It continues to inform discussions about complicity, bystanders, and the ethical responsibilities of individuals within social systems.

The line becomes a river

Francisco Cantú

In 'The Line Becomes a River,' Francisco Cantú recounts his time as a U.S. Border Patrol agent, detailing the psychological toll of his work and the dehumanizing effects of border enforcement. The book also explores his personal journey and reflections on the complexities of the U.S. -Mexico border. Through his narrative, Cantú humanizes the struggles of migrants and critiques the harsh realities of border policies.

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

Guest: Eyal Press (@EyalPress), author; journalist

References:

Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America by Eyal Press (FSG; 2021)
"What does it mean to take America's 'jobs of last resort'?" by Jamil Smith (Vox; Apr. 22)
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (Doubleday; 2021)
The Social Network, dir. David Fincher (2010)
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (1906)
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952)
The Civilizing Process by Norbert Elias (1939)
"Good People and Dirty Work" by Everett C. Hughes (Social Problems, vol. 10 (1); 1962)
The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú (Riverhead; 2019)
"Inside the Massive Jail that Doubles as Chicago's Largest Mental Health Facility" by Lili Holzer-Glier (Vera Institute of Justice; 2016)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Patrick Boyd
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall

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