Limitless work?

An exploration of work cultures in crowdwork

Abstract

Crowdwork platforms allow clients and workers to connect on a global scale in a range of different fields. In this article I interrogate this new form of freelance work from the perspective of cultural anthropology. I consider the working practices of freelance graphic designers who use online platforms to interact with clients around the world. In doing so, I explore the extent to which crowdwork creates new practices and work relations, while also taking into account areas where they are less disruptive than what is often communicated. The de-limitation and subjectivation of work, which has been discussed in the context of the creative industries for some time, takes on a new quality in the context of crowdwork. In particular I argue that macro tasks mediated via platforms involve a high degree of emotional work, and that a look at this affective dimension helps to better understand the often unequal transcultural relations that arise in this context.