Zygmunt BAUMAN delivers in his book Wasted Lives: Modernity and Its Outcasts a graphic and pessimistic description of ostracism in contemporary society. In the first part the outcasts of modern society are described, following market logic, as superfluous. Part two traces the actions of the state in punishing and segregating those who are ostracised. Finally, the involvement of those who are not (yet) ostracised is depicted as somewhat fragile, with instability and lack of commitment as central characteristics of our liquid modernity. The fear of losing social status and thus becoming useless is inherent in life in modern society. This review ends with a few brief reflections on possible connections between BAUMAN's analysis and social research projects. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0703295