The Internship Economy: Demythologizing Creative Exploitation

The article analyzes systemic exploitation in the creative sector, drawing on concepts from the book 'Blame the Intern.' The author points out that industry slogans and phrases such as 'learning by osmosis' are not innocent embellishments, but tools of discipline and power that mask the lack of remuneration and institutional responsibility. Particular attention is paid to the mechanism of the 'passion economy,' where the idea of 'doing what you love' is appropriated by employers to reduce labor costs and silence the financial claims of interns. The text argues that this industry model acts as a class filter, favoring those with financial backing and turning personal dreams into an instrument of economic exploitation.