Today we're examining the impact of bureaucracy and financialization on modern society through the lens of David Graeber's "Utopia of Rules," with reference to another of his works, "Bullshit Jobs." We explore how these forces shape political ideologies, wealth extraction, and everyday life. Starting with the alienation caused by bureaucratic systems, the discussion moves through the fusion of finance and bureaucracy, which influences both worker-corporate relationships and democratic processes. Then we look into the global justice movement's exposure of systemic violence and the role of technology in societal challenges as a potential model for criticism. We also address the perception of value shaped by financial abstractions, the issues within the retirement system, and the personal reassessment prompted by psychedelics. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the potential of worker ownership and the importance of societal renewal through new linguistic templates to combat institutional stagnation. Tell us your thoughts in the comments!