Allison Pugh
@allisonpugh.bsky.social
Care, Tech, Culture, Inequality. Check out The Last Human Job re the "scaling up" of humane work @PrincetonUPress. Johns Hopkins sociologist
Pinned
Allison Pugh
@allisonpugh.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Opinion | Human Interaction Is Now a Luxury Good
We’re increasingly becoming a society in which very wealthy people get human care, like concierge medicine and private schools with tiny class sizes.
www.nytimes.com
Still grateful for and honored by this piece, posted here ICYMI
Human Interaction Is Now a Luxury Good www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/o...
Human Interaction Is Now a Luxury Good www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/o...
Furthermore, they're fields where human beings do connective labor, the primary contribution humans make in an AI world.
This is very short sighted. Did AI suggest this policy move?
#TheLastHumanJob
This is very short sighted. Did AI suggest this policy move?
#TheLastHumanJob
The DOE just cut multiple fields from the “professional degree” list, shrinking loan access for future workers. Nursing, PAs, PT, OT, audiology, public health, social work, & education master’s all got dropped.
And yes, they’re fields dominated by women.
#ProudBlue
www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-...
And yes, they’re fields dominated by women.
#ProudBlue
www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-...
Nursing is no longer counted as a 'professional degree' by Trump admin
The Department of Education has excluded nursing as a "professional degree" program as it implements various changes to student loans.
www.newsweek.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Furthermore, they're fields where human beings do connective labor, the primary contribution humans make in an AI world.
This is very short sighted. Did AI suggest this policy move?
#TheLastHumanJob
This is very short sighted. Did AI suggest this policy move?
#TheLastHumanJob
Watching @kenburns.bsky.social The American Revolution, but why once again is The Battle of Alamance missing? In 1771 in North Carolina, British troops attacked 2000 farmers armed with hoes and shovels, shooting at them with artillery. The first site of the revolution was not Boston
November 24, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Watching @kenburns.bsky.social The American Revolution, but why once again is The Battle of Alamance missing? In 1771 in North Carolina, British troops attacked 2000 farmers armed with hoes and shovels, shooting at them with artillery. The first site of the revolution was not Boston
Reposted by Allison Pugh
ASA joined w/ 59 scientific orgs to sign a letter urging Congress to fund the National Science Foundation at the highest level in FY 2026 appropriations & accede to Senate report language for sustained funding for the Social, Behavioral, & Economic (SBE) Sciences Directorate.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM
ASA joined w/ 59 scientific orgs to sign a letter urging Congress to fund the National Science Foundation at the highest level in FY 2026 appropriations & accede to Senate report language for sustained funding for the Social, Behavioral, & Economic (SBE) Sciences Directorate.
At this point, I started laughing out loud...
"The only problem with the date ad, he said, was that the girl wasn’t also using Cluely."
www.theatlantic.com/family/2025/...
"The only problem with the date ad, he said, was that the girl wasn’t also using Cluely."
www.theatlantic.com/family/2025/...
How to Cheat at Conversation
A new AI tool promises to improve social interactions but instead makes them worse.
www.theatlantic.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
At this point, I started laughing out loud...
"The only problem with the date ad, he said, was that the girl wasn’t also using Cluely."
www.theatlantic.com/family/2025/...
"The only problem with the date ad, he said, was that the girl wasn’t also using Cluely."
www.theatlantic.com/family/2025/...
Reposted by Allison Pugh
“Better than nothing” systems are no substitute for actual healthcare.
@allisonpugh.bsky.social described this slippery slope to dystopia in her excellent book, “The Last Human Job; The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World.”
(2024, Princeton university press)
@allisonpugh.bsky.social described this slippery slope to dystopia in her excellent book, “The Last Human Job; The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World.”
(2024, Princeton university press)
First opinions, 2nd opinions, analyzing lab tests, preparing for a clinic visit, helping to make difficult diagnoses, and more use cases. Its popularity will keep increasing despite lack of objective data for benefit or harm
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/w...
Frustrated by the Medical System, Patients Turn to A.I.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“Better than nothing” systems are no substitute for actual healthcare.
@allisonpugh.bsky.social described this slippery slope to dystopia in her excellent book, “The Last Human Job; The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World.”
(2024, Princeton university press)
@allisonpugh.bsky.social described this slippery slope to dystopia in her excellent book, “The Last Human Job; The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World.”
(2024, Princeton university press)
Reposted by Allison Pugh
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far
Reposted by Allison Pugh
I look forward to listening to @allisonpugh.bsky.social talk about the value of these vital human moments at #AAMC25 and how we can better connect in a disconnected world. www.aamc.org/news/human-c...
Human connection in health care is under threat
Sociologist Allison Pugh, PhD, sees efficiency pressures and tech reducing MDs’ “connective labor” with patients. She wants a movement to build relationships.
www.aamc.org
October 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I look forward to listening to @allisonpugh.bsky.social talk about the value of these vital human moments at #AAMC25 and how we can better connect in a disconnected world. www.aamc.org/news/human-c...
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Giant copy of the Constitution being carried down Pennsylvania Avenue.
October 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Giant copy of the Constitution being carried down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Tomorrow (October 14th) at 9:00 and 10:45 am EDT, see keynote speaker @allisonpugh.bsky.social, author of The Last Human Job, at Planetree's Person-Centered Care Global Forum!
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
October 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Tomorrow (October 14th) at 9:00 and 10:45 am EDT, see keynote speaker @allisonpugh.bsky.social, author of The Last Human Job, at Planetree's Person-Centered Care Global Forum!
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
Reposted by Allison Pugh
In Defense of Being Human aeon.co/essays/our-c... with @allisonpugh.bsky.social #LastHumanJob #digitalwthics
Our crisis is not loneliness but human beings becoming invisible | Aeon Essays
Our crisis of work and technology is one in which too many people feel that nobody sees them as a fellow human being
aeon.co
October 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
In Defense of Being Human aeon.co/essays/our-c... with @allisonpugh.bsky.social #LastHumanJob #digitalwthics
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Allison J. Pugh @allisonpugh.bsky.social @jhu.edu received the 2025 Distinguished Scholarly Book Award during the ASA 2025 Annual Meeting for her book The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World. @princetonupress.bsky.social
#ASA #sociology #ASA2025
#ASA #sociology #ASA2025
October 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Allison J. Pugh @allisonpugh.bsky.social @jhu.edu received the 2025 Distinguished Scholarly Book Award during the ASA 2025 Annual Meeting for her book The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World. @princetonupress.bsky.social
#ASA #sociology #ASA2025
#ASA #sociology #ASA2025
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Next week, attend Planetree's Person-Centered Care Global Forum to see keynote speaker @allisonpugh.bsky.social, author of The Last Human Job. The Forum will run October 12th-15th, with Pugh speaking on the 14th at 9:00 am and 10:45 am EDT.
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
October 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Next week, attend Planetree's Person-Centered Care Global Forum to see keynote speaker @allisonpugh.bsky.social, author of The Last Human Job. The Forum will run October 12th-15th, with Pugh speaking on the 14th at 9:00 am and 10:45 am EDT.
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
Learn more about this ticketed event here: buff.ly/w4nuUaz
Sounds like an epitaph for our times: "longing for communion without the cost of mutuality"
Putting ChatGPT on the Couch www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Putting ChatGPT on the Couch www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Putting ChatGPT on the Couch
When I played doctor with the chatbot, the simulated patient confessed problems that are real—and that should worry all of us.
www.newyorker.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Sounds like an epitaph for our times: "longing for communion without the cost of mutuality"
Putting ChatGPT on the Couch www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Putting ChatGPT on the Couch www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Wanting to support intelligence behind #LastHumanJob
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
#furureofwork HT @allisonpugh.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
#furureofwork HT @allisonpugh.bsky.social
AI is taking on live translations. But jobs and meaning are getting lost.
New artificial intelligence-driven capabilities are expected to accelerate the shift from translation done by humans to machines.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Wanting to support intelligence behind #LastHumanJob
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
#furureofwork HT @allisonpugh.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
#furureofwork HT @allisonpugh.bsky.social
Today translators, tomorrow... We need to prioritize human-to-human connection.
“The more we remove human elements from human interaction, the more it could distort relationships between people. Now more than ever, we need humans connecting with humans.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
“The more we remove human elements from human interaction, the more it could distort relationships between people. Now more than ever, we need humans connecting with humans.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Today translators, tomorrow... We need to prioritize human-to-human connection.
“The more we remove human elements from human interaction, the more it could distort relationships between people. Now more than ever, we need humans connecting with humans.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
“The more we remove human elements from human interaction, the more it could distort relationships between people. Now more than ever, we need humans connecting with humans.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Allison Pugh
I first met @allisonpugh.bsky.social on the page of her book, Longing and Belonging. I was instantly mesmerized by her writing and thinking. She offered a model of what I aspired to be as a sociologist.
So grateful to have her support now as I publish my first book!
So grateful to have her support now as I publish my first book!
September 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I first met @allisonpugh.bsky.social on the page of her book, Longing and Belonging. I was instantly mesmerized by her writing and thinking. She offered a model of what I aspired to be as a sociologist.
So grateful to have her support now as I publish my first book!
So grateful to have her support now as I publish my first book!
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Folks, you can't report the United States to its manager. There's no superhero coming to save us.
We don't need one giant act of heroism. We need millions of small acts of solidarity. Help one person in your community for nothing in return. Then, do it again. And again.
That's the revolution.
We don't need one giant act of heroism. We need millions of small acts of solidarity. Help one person in your community for nothing in return. Then, do it again. And again.
That's the revolution.
September 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Folks, you can't report the United States to its manager. There's no superhero coming to save us.
We don't need one giant act of heroism. We need millions of small acts of solidarity. Help one person in your community for nothing in return. Then, do it again. And again.
That's the revolution.
We don't need one giant act of heroism. We need millions of small acts of solidarity. Help one person in your community for nothing in return. Then, do it again. And again.
That's the revolution.
The US town that pays every pregnant woman $1,500: ‘We’re not OK with our babies being born into poverty’ www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The US town that pays every pregnant woman $1,500: ‘We’re not OK with our babies being born into poverty’
Infants in Rx Kids in Flint, Michigan, saw lower rates of prematurity and other issues, saving millions in NICU visits
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The US town that pays every pregnant woman $1,500: ‘We’re not OK with our babies being born into poverty’ www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
September 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
Reposted by Allison Pugh
The Last Human Job author @allisonpugh.bsky.social returned to @hiddenbrain.bsky.social to answer audience questions about connection:
Escaping Perfectionism - Hidden Brain Media
Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic, athletic and professional success. But psychologist Thomas Curran says…
hiddenbrain.org
September 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The Last Human Job author @allisonpugh.bsky.social returned to @hiddenbrain.bsky.social to answer audience questions about connection:
Thanks to the Hidden Brain for revisiting #TheLastHumanJob! Still getting used to the personal angle that Shankar prefers: Preschool! Garlic! A false start in my dissertation! But I get how it helps the ideas come alive...
Check it out! My part starts at 50:10
hiddenbrain.org/podcast/esca...
Check it out! My part starts at 50:10
hiddenbrain.org/podcast/esca...
Escaping Perfectionism - Hidden Brain Media
Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic, athletic and professional success. But psychologist Thomas Curran says perfectioni...
hiddenbrain.org
September 1, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Thanks to the Hidden Brain for revisiting #TheLastHumanJob! Still getting used to the personal angle that Shankar prefers: Preschool! Garlic! A false start in my dissertation! But I get how it helps the ideas come alive...
Check it out! My part starts at 50:10
hiddenbrain.org/podcast/esca...
Check it out! My part starts at 50:10
hiddenbrain.org/podcast/esca...
That's telling: "Guides are not required to have teaching licenses or an education background."
For $65,000 a year, a teacher-less AI private school comes to Virginia www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
For $65,000 a year, a teacher-less AI private school comes to Virginia www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
August 26, 2025 at 6:42 PM
That's telling: "Guides are not required to have teaching licenses or an education background."
For $65,000 a year, a teacher-less AI private school comes to Virginia www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
For $65,000 a year, a teacher-less AI private school comes to Virginia www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Reposted by Allison Pugh
Friendly reminder that AI data centers are working overtime to help cook the planet. If the fires are scaring you— start using ‘-AI’ at the end of all Google searches to cut out any AI response to your query. Refusal is possible & responsible.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
OpenAI will not disclose GPT-5’s energy use. It could be higher than past models
Experts working to benchmark resource use of AI models say new version’s enhanced capabilities come at a steep cost
www.theguardian.com
August 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Friendly reminder that AI data centers are working overtime to help cook the planet. If the fires are scaring you— start using ‘-AI’ at the end of all Google searches to cut out any AI response to your query. Refusal is possible & responsible.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...