Ahhhh!!!!!! I'm so screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the jobs I really want to apply for needs an academic reference! The issue is I've either burned bridges with some professors or not been able to build a substantial amount of rapport to guarantee a recommendation letter.

I can't go building rapport now......I think many professors whom I haven't hit up yet have heard about me through the grapevine.......I have met some cold shoulders (ok, probably because they don't know me and they are busy with work that they would rather not waste time vouching for another student).

I hate the idea of references!!!!! Nowadays, people giving references are simply giving good feedback for those they knew very well, as in people they already befriended with, so they will most certainly say nice things. I mean of course the job seeker is going to ask those people who will give positive feedback, no one is that dumb to ask for his arch-nemesis for a recommendation letter.
Why, oh why do employers still make people go through this useless process?????? (question not intended to be answered )