Planet Money

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The real horror of ‘Alien’ and how it explains why we’re not paid enough

Explore episode Jun 19, 2026
Business
Negative Amenities and Bad Jobs: Space Trucking Edition

The real horror of ‘Alien’ and how it explains why we’re no… · Jun 19, 2026 Business

Labor economists use the term 'negative amenities' for job features that make work less desirable — overnight shifts, danger, time away from home. Being a space trucker for Weyland-Yutani scores extremely high on this list, with 'risk of death' as a standout. In competitive markets, these should translate into higher pay.

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