What are "Untouchable Jobs" as mentioned in the book? Which jobs do you consider to be in this category?
Okay, let’s talk about this fascinating concept: "Untouchable Jobs".
This term actually comes from Thomas Friedman's very famous book The World is Flat. Here, "Untouchable" doesn’t mean literally impossible to touch physically.
It refers to jobs that are difficult to "touch" in the context of globalization and technological advancements – meaning they are hard to outsource overseas or automate using machines and software. They are like stable rocks amidst turbulent waves.
We can understand these jobs better by imagining them in three broad categories:
1. The Exceptional and Unique (特别“牛”的人)
Simply put, these are jobs held by people who are exceptionally special and one-of-a-kind. Their creativity, talent, or skills cannot be easily replicated or mass-produced.
- Examples:
- Top-tier artists, writers, directors: Like Hayao Miyazaki or J.K. Rowling. Their imagination and creativity are unique; you can't outsource to a factory to "produce" another Harry Potter.
- World-class scientists, researchers: They engage in cutting-edge exploration requiring breakthrough thinking, not just following SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
- Elite athletes, entertainers: Like Lionel Messi or Taylor Swift – their innate talent and personal charisma are core assets.
- Star lawyers or surgeons in their field: They handle the most complex, challenging cases or surgeries, demanding supreme professional judgment and experience.
In short, these are roles where "You are the brand".
2. The Locally Essential (必须“在场”的人)
The key characteristic of these jobs is that they must be done face-to-face, by a real person, in a specific physical location. Geography is their natural moat.
- Examples:
- Plumbers, electricians, construction workers: If your pipe bursts, you can't ask an engineer in India to fix it via video call; they need to come physically.
- Barbers, massage therapists, personal trainers: These services require real physical contact and in-person interaction.
- Nurses, dentists, firefighters: Their work directly relates to personal safety and health, relying on on-site judgment and action.
- Restaurant chefs and servers: Great food and a good service experience need to be created and enjoyed in person.
The core of these jobs is "geographical constraint". No matter how flat the world becomes, some things must be done locally.
3. The Collaborative Integrators (特别“会整合”的人)
This is, in my opinion, the most interesting and inspiring category for ordinary people. These jobs don't necessarily require you to be a top genius in one field, nor do they always demand your physical presence. Instead, they require a crucial skill: integration and collaboration.
In a flat world, information, resources, and talent are scattered globally. Those who can connect these dispersed points and create new value are the "untouchables". They are the bridge-builders.
- Examples:
- Excellent project managers: They might need to coordinate a design team in the US, a programming team in India, and a marketing team in China to ensure smooth project delivery. Their value lies in communication, coordination, and management.
- Outstanding teachers: A teacher who just recites from a book is easily replaceable by online courses. But a teacher who inspires students, tailors teaching to individuals, and organizes classroom activities is irreplaceable. He/She integrates knowledge, pedagogy, and understanding of students.
- Skilled consultants: Their job is to diagnose a company's problems and then integrate resources from technology, market, management, etc., to propose solutions.
- Deep-dive content creators/journalists: They don't just repackage information; they filter, analyze, and synthesize complex information, presenting it clearly to the public.
The essence of this category is the ability to handle complexity and ambiguity, coupled with superior interpersonal communication and collaboration skills. These are precisely the areas currently most difficult for AI and automation to replicate.
My View
What I find most valuable about this concept is that it reminds us: what matters isn't your job title, but the actual substance/content of your work.
For example, take two "Accountants": One who just inputs data and prepares basic reports has work easily automated by software – it's "touchable." But another accountant who performs financial analysis, tax planning, and helps the company make strategic decisions? That person is a "Collaborative Integrator" – an "Untouchable."
Therefore, the key to making your job "Untouchable" isn't aiming for a flashy-sounding title. Instead, it's about continually cultivating your creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills, and the habit of lifelong learning. This is the real "iron rice bowl" (job security / reliable income) in the future workplace.