Ah, to live the life as a National Hockey League rover, or to entertain the cigar-rolling masses as a Lector. To pump gas or serve as the director of photography on pornographic movies. To open your own Blockbuster Video store franchise or manufacture cassette tapes. These are jobs…some totally obsolete, some on their way out…
This week, it’s all about jobs that no longer exist: some long gone, and some we’ve seen die in our own time. We talk about jobs that are fading, many jobs shoved into one catch-all job, and even discuss why outsourcing may not be the evil many believe it to be. (We might not be in the majority on this one.) We discuss how the “Good ol’ days,” were only good for some, and why our jobs these days is to simply figure things out. Of course, Shawn works Star Trek into the discussion, and Christopher entertains what a future in which computers write novels might be like. (Smash Gerbils reference goes to Deacon McClendon.)
We wrap it up by discussing how the Internet and nostalgia have brought some obsolete or dying jobs back — kind of a grudging praise for…the Hipster! Also, wanna be a blacksmith? It’s still a better option than many jobs that are on the way out! Don’t believe us? Then give this episode a listen!
Note: This episode was recorded under the influence of copious amounts of caffeine (Shawn) and a couple Martinis (Chris). It’s a bit frantic and wacky, and that, dear listeners = fun!
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I never understood the need for elevator operators. I mean, come on, how complicated is it to push a button?
Smash Gerbils? I must read this.
Here’s your progressive cocktail culture, Christopher! http://youtu.be/hJIkJ9x0-JQ
It’s strange that elevator operators are gone, but in some places, there’s still a guy who hands me a towel in the men’s room after washing my hands. And I’m expected to give him money.
Okay, so I looked, and it wasn’t Smash Gerbils — it was “Mystified Chipmunks.” Clearly, Smash Gerbils are a rogue military team of gerbils and their allies, The Mystified Chipmunks, are magic-using chipmunks…
A cocktail machine that makes drinks to ska tunes (Reel Big Fish in this case)? “Hello, Cocktail Machine. This afternoon, I would like a Bankshot, followed by a Monkey Man, and capped off with a Night Boat to Cairo. Hell, since it’s a long weekend, throw in a Cowboy Coffee for dessert!