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Work - The Origins of Work

Work - The Origins of Work

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 Episode One of "Work" explores the origins of human labor, beginning with early humans dividing tasks for survival two hundred thousand years ago. Marc Ellery examines how specialization created social hierarchies and identities, then jumps to the agricultural revolution ten thousand years ago, when permanent settlement transformed work entirely. The episode covers ancient labor systems including slavery, feudalism, and craft guilds, highlighting the tension between work as exploitation and work as meaningful craftsmanship. Marc discusses how specialization drove progress but created dependency, and how gender shaped labor divisions. Throughout, he emphasizes that work has always been complex—simultaneously about survival, identity, power, and meaning—and challenges the modern notion that work should be fulfilling, noting this expectation is historically new and remains a privilege many don't have.
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