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David Graeber has died (theguardian.com)

749 points by frabbit · 2218 days ago · 263 comments on HN

Article summary

David Graeber, an anthropologist and author, has died at the age of 59. He was known for his books on bureaucracy, politics, and capitalism, including 'Debt: The First 5,000 Years' and 'Bullshit Jobs: A Theory'. Graeber was a professor of anthropology at the London School of Economics and was involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement. His final book, 'The Dawn of Everything: a New History of Humanity', is set to be published in autumn 2021.

Main themes

  • David Graeber's life and work
  • Critique of capitalism and bureaucracy
  • Economics and debt
  • Anarchism and activism
  • Impact of Graeber's work on readers
  • Occupation and meaningful work

What commenters say

  • David Graeber's work had a profound impact on many people's understanding of the world and will be deeply missed.
  • Graeber's book 'Debt: The First 5,000 Years' is a valuable and thought-provoking work that challenges conventional economic thinking.
  • Some critics argue that Graeber's book 'Debt' does not accurately represent modern economics and contains factual errors.
  • Graeber's willingness to engage with critics and challenges to his work is seen as a refreshing and admirable trait.
  • The concept of 'bullshit jobs' presented in Graeber's book has resonated with many people and changed their perspective on work and society.
  • There is a need to read Graeber's work critically and not uncritically, as with any book, to fully appreciate its value and limitations.
  • Graeber's work is seen as part of a larger conversation about the nature of work, economics, and society, and his contributions will continue to be felt.
  • Some people disagree with Graeber's views on economics and debt, and argue that his work oversimplifies complex issues.