Technically correct, but it also shows the failings of the three word test.
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“I prevent planes from crashing”. Too many words I know, but you can always lower your word count by switching to German, so: „Ich verhindere Flugzeugabstürze"
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yeah, it’s a fun game but it gets demeaning to expect a person’s entire professional career should be reducible to so little. the interesting parts are always in the details anyway
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Long ago I determined that if I’m ever in the audience and somebody on stage points to me and asks, “What do you do?”, this is my response:
“Answer stupid questions.”
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Formerly:
I put dirt in jars.
Or
I hang around yellow metal.
Now:
I annoy consultants.
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The other major problem with the original image is that the concept of bullshit jobs came from interviewing people who felt that their jobs were meaningless. It was never supposed to be a stick to beat people with, but I guess some people are just looking for any excuse to do that.
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Congratulations, @Ed_Beaty! With one post, you mostly took over the thread.
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I like the premise of the TED talk, recognizing that it’s really just an opportunity to connect, and meeting people where they are (meaning, maybe that’s the only way they know to start a conversation with a stranger at an event, idk).
I have a weird job, and it’s always been frustrating trying to answer that question, so I especially liked the tip about the answer not needing to be complete. Because if you’re really going to connect, there’ll be time to say more.
“I identify problems, and solve them,” is what I’m going to try next time it comes up.
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The ultimate clash of “What do you do?”
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“What don’t I do?!”
Ask non-rhetorically, and then wait for an answer. 
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Some similar expert has suggested that the better question to ask in suchsituations is: “what do you enjoy doing?” or something like that. That way, someone can answer without having to admit that they just lost their job, or are woefully underemployed, or simply hate what they do to pay the bills.
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when I had a very fluid, catch-all job in a restaurant that defaulted to food running and bussing when the frequent odd-jobs/putting out (figurative) fires was done, I sure felt like I did all the work.
mindful of this, when we were introducing ourselves and our roles to a new employee, I faced them with my stained apron and casual clothes and said “I do all the hiring and firing around here” to a few laughs. two of the few things I didn’t do.
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I never quite understood what my dad did but it wasn’t as complicated as this.
I’m just gonna say you’re a farmer.
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uh oh. so basically you’re in the same line of work as this guy?
remind me never to get on your bad side…
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Exactly this. I was hoping this would be a way to allow you to answer the question without reducing yourself to what you get paid for.
That is actually the perfect succinct answer, mind if I steal it?
What do you do?
I don’t have a succinct answer to this. My passions are numerous and mostly very niche.
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I develop transportation superhighways. For shit.
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Especially the woman I encountered one day on Clairmont Mesa Blvd in San Diego who directed me to “Perish, perish, perish!”
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I imagine she didn’t ask what you do, but that would at least open up some interesting alternative answers.
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I’m always tempted to quote Martin Q Blank:
Marty: I’m a professional killer.
Paul: Do you have to do postgraduate work for that?
Or
Marty: Hi. I’m, uh, I’m a pet psychiatrist. I sell couch insurance. Mm-hmm, and I - and I test-market positive thinking. I lead a weekend men’s group, we specialize in ritual killings. Yeah, you look great! God, yeah! Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you? Hi, I’m Martin Blank, you remember me? I’m not married, I don’t have any kids, but I’d blow your head off if someone paid me enough.
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I should try it too, given that I’ve been likened to this guy a few times over the years (in terms of approach to a job, that is…).
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