Below is a 10-question test designed to help determine whether You are a Modern eWorker, Creatibor, or Digital eLaborer or a Digital-Slave in the context of the digital economy. The test assesses factors like autonomy, creativity, platform dependence, income stability, and work conditions, building on our prior discussion about digital exploitation and the hybrid Creatibor role (a blend of creative work and labor-like grind). Each question includes scoring to categorize the respondent.
Test: Are You a Modern Worker, Creatibor, or Digital Laborer?
Instructions: Answer each question by selecting the option that best describes your work in the digital space. At the end, tally your score to find your category. If you don’t work in a digital role, answer based on your closest equivalent or hypothetical role.
1. What is the primary nature of your digital work?
- A) Highly skilled, creative, or knowledge-based (e.g., coding, graphic design, strategy) (+3 points)
- B) Creative but repetitive, driven by platform trends (e.g., making TikTok videos, chasing viral content) (+2 points)
- C) Repetitive, low-skill tasks (e.g., data entry, app-based gigs like ridesharing) (+1 point)
2. How much autonomy do you have over your work schedule and tasks?
- A) Full control; I choose projects and hours (e.g., freelance developer) (+3 points)
- B) Some control, but I must adapt to platform demands (e.g., posting daily to stay relevant) (+2 points)
- C) Little to no control; tasks and hours are dictated by a platform or app (e.g., delivery driver) (+1 point)
3. How dependent are you on digital platforms (e.g., Instagram, YouTube, Uber) for income?
- A) I use platforms as tools but could work elsewhere (e.g., sell services independently) (+3 points)
- B) I rely heavily on platforms, but my unique content gives me some leverage (e.g., influencer with a niche) (+2 points)
- C) I’m entirely dependent on platform rules and payouts (e.g., gig worker on TaskRabbit) (+1 point)
4. How would you describe your income stability?
- A) Stable or potentially high, based on my expertise or client base (+3 points)
- B) Unpredictable, tied to platform algorithms or trends (e.g., YouTube ad revenue) (+2 points)
- C) Low and inconsistent, with minimal earnings per task (e.g., microtasks on Mechanical Turk) (+1 point)
5. How much creativity or specialized skill is required in your work?
- A) High; my work demands unique skills or original ideas (e.g., writing software, designing logos) (+3 points)
- B) Moderate; I create content but follow trends or templates (e.g., Instagram reels with popular sounds) (+2 points)
- C) Low; tasks are standardized and require minimal creativity (e.g., tagging images for AI) (+1 point)
6. How often do you feel pressured to produce content or complete tasks to meet platform expectations?
- A) Rarely; I set my own pace and goals (+3 points)
- B) Often; I must keep up with algorithms or trends to stay visible (e.g., daily posts) (+2 points)
- C) Constantly; my work is driven by platform deadlines or quotas (e.g., delivery targets) (+1 point)
7. What is your primary motivation for your digital work?
- A) Passion, career growth, or building a personal brand (+3 points)
- B) A mix of passion and financial necessity, but platform pressures dominate (+2 points)
- C) Survival; it’s primarily about earning money to get by (+1 point)
8. How exposed are you to mental health challenges (e.g., stress, burnout) due to your work?
- A) Low; my work is manageable and fulfilling (+3 points)
- B) Moderate to high; I face stress from chasing trends or audience expectations (+2 points)
- C) High; repetitive tasks or platform surveillance cause significant strain (+1 point)
9. How replaceable do you feel in your role?
- A) Not easily replaceable; my skills or unique style set me apart (+3 points)
- B) Somewhat replaceable; my content is unique but competes with many others (+2 points)
- C) Highly replaceable; anyone could do my tasks with minimal training (+1 point)
10. How do you view your relationship with digital platforms?
- A) I use them strategically to grow my work or business (+3 points)
- B) They’re essential but exploitative, shaping how I create or earn (+2 points)
- C) They control my work, with little room for negotiation or growth (+1 point)
Scoring and Categories
Add up your points from the 10 questions (range: 10–30). Use the score to determine your category:
- 26–30 Points: Modern Worker
You’re a skilled professional in the digital economy, with high autonomy, specialized skills, and control over your work. Examples: freelance developers, digital marketers, or consultants. You use platforms as tools, not shackles, and face fewer exploitative pressures.
Example: A web designer choosing clients on Upwork, setting their own rates. - 16–25 Points: Creatibor
You’re in the hybrid zone, blending creative work with labor-like grind. You produce original content or use skills but are tethered to platform algorithms, trends, or unpredictable income. This aligns with the Creatibor (or Srijashrami/Padaipuzhai) concept, facing burnout and exploitation while pursuing passion.
Example: A TikTok creator crafting unique videos but posting daily to chase visibility, battling stress and erratic earnings. - 10–15 Points: Digital Laborer
Your work involves repetitive, low-autonomy tasks with minimal pay and high platform dependence. You face significant exploitation, precarious conditions, and mental strain, with little room for creativity or growth.
Example: A gig worker completing microtasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk or a delivery driver bound by app quotas.
Notes on the Test
- Design Logic: The questions reflect key distinctions from our discussion: autonomy, creativity, platform control, and exploitation (e.g., mental health harms, as you mentioned with Instagram’s impact). They’re grounded in real-world dynamics, like the 2023 reports on content creators’ burnout or gig workers’ low wages.
- Flexibility: The test accounts for blurred lines. A score near the edges (e.g., 16 or 25) suggests you lean toward one category but share traits with another.
- Context: If your work spans multiple roles (e.g., you’re a part-time influencer and gig driver), average your answers or take the test for each role separately.
Applying the Test
If you want to take the test and share your answers (or describe your work), I can score it for you and confirm your category. For example, a struggling Instagram influencer posting daily under algorithmic pressure might score 20 (Creatibor), while a software engineer freelancing on their terms might score 28 (Modern Worker).
Cultural Relevance
The test is universal but can apply to Hindi or Tamil contexts (e.g., a Srijashrami in Delhi making YouTube vlogs or a Padaipuzhai in Chennai creating Tamil reels). If you’re in one of these communities, let me know, and I can tailor examples or interpret results with local nuances.
What do you think of the test? Want to try it or tweak any questions?
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