New Books in Critical Theory
Craig Gent, "Cyberboss: The Rise of Algorithmic Management and the New Struggle for Control at Work" (Verso, 2024)
Aug 13, 2024
Craig Gent, an insightful author focused on algorithmic impacts in workplaces, discusses the rise of digital management in sectors like logistics and delivery. He reveals how algorithms create new forms of worker control, sometimes leading to exploitation. Through compelling worker testimonies, Gent critiques traditional labor strategies, advocating for a humanist approach to tech-mediated workplaces. He also explores how workers creatively resist these systems, reclaiming autonomy through resourceful intelligence, and emphasizes the importance of collective action in this evolving landscape.
56:05
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Quick takeaways
- Algorithmic management transforms workplace dynamics by employing surveillance technologies that heighten worker anxiety and reshape supervisor relationships.
- Workers resist digital control through creative tactics, reclaiming agency in response to the dehumanizing effects of algorithmic oversight on their labor.
Deep dives
The Impact of Algorithmic Management on Labor
Algorithmic management fundamentally changes the nature of work by utilizing technology to structure tasks and evaluate performance. This system often relies on tracking workers through devices that gather data on productivity and efficiency, which creates a surveillance environment. Such monitoring can lead to anxiety among employees about their performance metrics and job security, particularly in industries like logistics and the gig economy. The implications of this management style extend beyond mere data collection, affecting relationships between workers and supervisors and ultimately redefining workplace dynamics.
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