I worked at a call center where my shift got cut early if the strangers I called weren't completing enough of my surveys.

A friend worked at an amusement park that legally paid below minimum wage because it was "seasonal."

None of these jobs made national news.

Every low-wage job has tradeoffs. The call center hired me underage with no experience.

DoorDash lets you have your kids in the car while you work.

Workers know which jobs are worth it. They talk to each other. But their preferences rarely shape the coverage.

Outrage about gig work is well-meaning. It just comes from noticing one job, not comparing it to the alternatives.