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Hackathons Are Dystopian Events That Dupe People Into Working For Free, Say Sociologists (fastcompany.com)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

An anonymous reader writes: That's the conclusion that two sociologists came to after observing seven hackathons over the period of one year, reports Wired. In "Hackathons As Co-optation Ritual: Socializing Workers and Institutionalizing Innovation in the 'New' Economy," sociologists Sharon Zukin and Max Papadantonakis argue that companies use the allure of hackathons to get people to work for free. They says sponsors fuel the "romance of digital innovation by appealing to the hackers' aspiration to be multi-dimensional agents of change" when in fact the hackathons are just a means of labor control.

3 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. They may be considered as free advertising by bobstreo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And while on the subject, please feel free to discuss non-paying Internships...

  2. Original article is here by XXongo · · Score: 5, Informative
    For some reason the summary linked a news article ABOUT the Wired article, not the Wired article:
    https://www.wired.com/story/sociologists-examine-hackathons-and-see-exploitation/amp

    nor the actual paper being discussed:
    https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/S0277-283320170000031005

  3. Their technical credentials and aspirations are..? by llamalad · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Didn't read TFA, but do these researchers understand what motivates people to participate?

    Speaking as an established professional in a highly technical field -and as someone whose career has been further as much by hobbies and personal interests as certifications and professional experience- hackathons are in fact insanely fun, an invaluable social outlet that helps form lasting friendships and establish professional contacts, and a great way to build teamwork skills, learn new things, and challenge your abilities.

    Sure, it's a challenge to build an app in a weekend (Rails Rumble), but it's fun. If that's your idea of fun.

    I wonder how these researchers would describe gyms (establishments which trick you into paying money to do meaningless physical labor?), marathons, and online dating?