Extreme work/normal work: Intensification, storytelling and hypermediation in the (re)construction of ‘the New Normal’

Edward Granter; Leo McCann; Maree Boyle

doi:10.1177/1350508415573881

Extreme work/normal work: Intensification, storytelling and hypermediation in the (re)construction of ‘the New Normal’

Edward Granter^*, Leo McCann, Maree Boyle

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

Abstract

The label ‘extreme’ has traditionally been used to describe out-of-the-ordinary and quasi-deviant leisure subcultures which aim at an escape from commercialized and over-rationalized modernity or for occupations involving high risk, exposure to ‘dirty work’ and a threat to life (such as military, healthcare or policing). In recent years, however, the notion of ‘extreme’ is starting to define more ‘normal’ and mainstream realms of work and organization. Even in occupations not known for intense, dirty or risky work tasks, there is a growing sense in which ‘normal’ workplaces are becoming ‘extreme’, especially in relation to work intensity, long-hours cultures and the normalizing of extreme work behaviours and cultures. This article explores extreme work via a broader discussion of related notions of ‘edgework’ and ‘extreme jobs’ and suggests two main reasons why extremity is moving into everyday organizational domains; the first relates to the acceleration and intensification of work conditions and the second to the hypermediation of, and increased appetite for, extreme storytelling. Definitions of extreme and normal remain socially constructed and widely contested, but as social and organizational realities take on ever more extreme features, we argue that theoretical and scholarly engagement with the extreme is both relevant and timely.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	443-456
Number of pages	14
Journal	Organization
Volume	22
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508415573881
Publication status	Published - 29 Jan 2015

Keywords

culture industry
edgework
extreme jobs
extreme work
hypermediation
storytelling
work intensification

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10.1177/1350508415573881

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title = "Extreme work/normal work: Intensification, storytelling and hypermediation in the (re)construction of {\textquoteleft}the New Normal{\textquoteright}",

abstract = "The label {\textquoteleft}extreme{\textquoteright} has traditionally been used to describe out-of-the-ordinary and quasi-deviant leisure subcultures which aim at an escape from commercialized and over-rationalized modernity or for occupations involving high risk, exposure to {\textquoteleft}dirty work{\textquoteright} and a threat to life (such as military, healthcare or policing). In recent years, however, the notion of {\textquoteleft}extreme{\textquoteright} is starting to define more {\textquoteleft}normal{\textquoteright} and mainstream realms of work and organization. Even in occupations not known for intense, dirty or risky work tasks, there is a growing sense in which {\textquoteleft}normal{\textquoteright} workplaces are becoming {\textquoteleft}extreme{\textquoteright}, especially in relation to work intensity, long-hours cultures and the normalizing of extreme work behaviours and cultures. This article explores extreme work via a broader discussion of related notions of {\textquoteleft}edgework{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}extreme jobs{\textquoteright} and suggests two main reasons why extremity is moving into everyday organizational domains; the first relates to the acceleration and intensification of work conditions and the second to the hypermediation of, and increased appetite for, extreme storytelling. Definitions of extreme and normal remain socially constructed and widely contested, but as social and organizational realities take on ever more extreme features, we argue that theoretical and scholarly engagement with the extreme is both relevant and timely.",

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AB - The label ‘extreme’ has traditionally been used to describe out-of-the-ordinary and quasi-deviant leisure subcultures which aim at an escape from commercialized and over-rationalized modernity or for occupations involving high risk, exposure to ‘dirty work’ and a threat to life (such as military, healthcare or policing). In recent years, however, the notion of ‘extreme’ is starting to define more ‘normal’ and mainstream realms of work and organization. Even in occupations not known for intense, dirty or risky work tasks, there is a growing sense in which ‘normal’ workplaces are becoming ‘extreme’, especially in relation to work intensity, long-hours cultures and the normalizing of extreme work behaviours and cultures. This article explores extreme work via a broader discussion of related notions of ‘edgework’ and ‘extreme jobs’ and suggests two main reasons why extremity is moving into everyday organizational domains; the first relates to the acceleration and intensification of work conditions and the second to the hypermediation of, and increased appetite for, extreme storytelling. Definitions of extreme and normal remain socially constructed and widely contested, but as social and organizational realities take on ever more extreme features, we argue that theoretical and scholarly engagement with the extreme is both relevant and timely.

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Extreme work/normal work: Intensification, storytelling and hypermediation in the (re)construction of ‘the New Normal’

Abstract

Keywords

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