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New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
Craig Gent, "Cyberboss: The Rise of Algorithmic Management and the New Struggle for Control at Work" (Verso, 2024)
Aug 13, 2024
Craig Gent, an author exploring algorithmic management's impact on the workforce, dives into the transformative power of technology in workplaces. He discusses how algorithms monitor and control workers, revealing the resulting exploitation and worker anxieties. Gent traces the evolution of management strategies from the early 20th century and highlights the need for a humanistic approach. He also shares inspiring stories of workers resisting digital control, advocating for dignity and solidarity in their struggles against oppressive systems.
56:05
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Quick takeaways
- Algorithmic management is fundamentally reshaping workplace dynamics, often leading to dehumanization and an erosion of personal agency among workers.
- Despite the challenges of algorithmic oversight, workers are innovating resistance tactics that foster solidarity and demand dignity in their labor conditions.
Deep dives
The Role of Algorithmic Management in Modern Work
Algorithmic management refers to the application of algorithmic technologies to monitor and control workers, significantly reshaping the dynamics within various industries. Workers often interact with algorithms through tools such as wearable devices and tracking apps that gauge their productivity in real-time. For example, an employee in a distribution center may rely on a scanner to manage tasks, which simultaneously collects data on their performance, thus influencing their future job security. This method of managing labor not only streamlines operations but also alters the fundamental nature of work, raising concerns about dehumanization and the erosion of personal agency in the workplace.
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