Mouse jigglers are devices used by remote workers to physically interfere with the functioning of their optical mouse, causing their cursor to move around on the screen in a slight ‘jiggle’. This creates the appearance that they are working – allowing them moments of rest. Used, smiley-faced stress balls, purchased on eBay, rest on top of the slowly rotating mouse jigglers – repositories of human tension in physical form. 

Mouse Jiggler videos found on YouTube with titles like “Keep Computer Awake – Perfect for 8 Hour Shift” were uploaded by anonymous users as a form of distributed resistance, offering periods of rest to remote workers worldwide. Workers play the videos on their tablets or phones, positioned under their optical mouse, causing their mouse cursor to jiggle and convince their employers that they are working. Using one screen to deceive another, they exploit a blind spot in workplace surveillance infrastructure, granting workers moments of autonomy within systems designed to eliminate it.

Mouse jigglers, pre-owned stress balls. Dimensions variable | 2025
28 videos. Variable durations between 1.5 and 8.5 hours | 2025