Human Centered The Humanity of Connective Labor
Oct 15, 2024
Allison Pugh, a sociologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses her upcoming book, "The Last Human Job." She explores the importance of connective labor in a world increasingly dominated by automation. Pugh highlights how jobs requiring deep human interaction—like therapists and teachers—are essential for mutual recognition. She critiques socio-emotional AI, arguing it often overlooks the nuances of human connection and can mask underfunding in public services. Ultimately, she emphasizes that being truly seen by another human is irreplaceable.
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Connective Labor Defined
- Connective labor is the work of deeply seeing and reflecting others that underlies many jobs across the economy.
- Allison Pugh names and elevates this invisible, reciprocal work that produces meaning and value.
Origin Story In Interviewing
- Allison Pugh started the project after writing about in-depth interviewing and recognizing it as connective labor.
- She used interviews as both method and evidence that witnessing others creates meaning in research and practice.
Silicon Valley Shaped The Argument
- A CASBS residency exposed Pugh to Silicon Valley engineers and socio-emotional AI developments.
- That proximity shifted the book to address whether machines could scale or replace connective labor.
