When You, I Feel...
An article in yesterday's paper caught my eye. The gist of it was that there had been a job advertisement in the U.K., seeking someone who was "reliable", etc. It was determined that this advertisement was discriminatory against people who are "not reliable", and, as a result, the job ad was pulled.
You seriously can not make stuff like this up!
Such situations personify the ridiculous world of doublespeak that we have created over the past couple of decades. We are living in a world where we are unable to criticise others, dismiss a person from a job due to incompetence, maintain admittance standards and, quite honestly, have diluted our social discourse to the point that nothing importance gets said, regardless of validity, for fear of liable or reprisals.
I am often censored by friends, wife and colleagues due to my tendency to speak bluntly (and, admittedly sometimes over exuberantly). Needless to say, jaws often drop when I'm at a meeting or social situation when I call it like I see it. Outlandish, sometimes, I am, and often do go for shock value if only to emphasize my point. More often than not, I'll be told by others that they were thinking the same thing but would never have the audacity to say it. I admit that I have no respect for authority in that they are beyond reproach. Honestly, I've seen enough incompetent morons being raised to such positions through luck, nepotism and knowing the right person, that so many of those in positions of power do not deserve to be there nor are they worthy of respect. This is the era of the "yes man/woman" and they are breeding in their authoritarian ranks. Poster child for morons with ultimate power: former President of the U.S. George W. Bush.
Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here: I do give my utmost respect to those who earn it - the competent - even if we have opposing views. I'm not a lose cannon who goes off for the sake of hearing himself roar. I am not advocating belligerence (though belligerence may at times be necessary to press home a point). What I am stating is that we need to stand for something and not be afraid of standing up for it, no matter who our challenger is. I mess up and step out of line often, and accept my lumps thoughtfully. If I screwed up, I'll accept that. What I won't accept is taking it on the chin simply because the person giving me the lumps is in a perceived power of authority over me. The only way others have power over us is if we allow them to. It is a game in many minds, and we always have the choice of not playing.
Apathy and a sense of entitlement will be the downfall of Western civilisation. We need to be civil, inclusive and respectful, but in a manner that is productive and realistic. We need to reintroduce passion in our opinions, endeavor to make ourselves better and not live in fear of rocking the proverbial boat. The injustices in our society are sickening, the vast majority of politicians and bureaucrats attempt to mirror what the percieved wants are, and then manipulate and decieve - of which we are all aware but do nothing.
In conclusion, it would appear that the unreliable have beaten out the reliable for the job. Nietzsche and Ayn Rand where are you?
An article in yesterday's paper caught my eye. The gist of it was that there had been a job advertisement in the U.K., seeking someone who was "reliable", etc. It was determined that this advertisement was discriminatory against people who are "not reliable", and, as a result, the job ad was pulled.
You seriously can not make stuff like this up!
Such situations personify the ridiculous world of doublespeak that we have created over the past couple of decades. We are living in a world where we are unable to criticise others, dismiss a person from a job due to incompetence, maintain admittance standards and, quite honestly, have diluted our social discourse to the point that nothing importance gets said, regardless of validity, for fear of liable or reprisals.
I am often censored by friends, wife and colleagues due to my tendency to speak bluntly (and, admittedly sometimes over exuberantly). Needless to say, jaws often drop when I'm at a meeting or social situation when I call it like I see it. Outlandish, sometimes, I am, and often do go for shock value if only to emphasize my point. More often than not, I'll be told by others that they were thinking the same thing but would never have the audacity to say it. I admit that I have no respect for authority in that they are beyond reproach. Honestly, I've seen enough incompetent morons being raised to such positions through luck, nepotism and knowing the right person, that so many of those in positions of power do not deserve to be there nor are they worthy of respect. This is the era of the "yes man/woman" and they are breeding in their authoritarian ranks. Poster child for morons with ultimate power: former President of the U.S. George W. Bush.
Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here: I do give my utmost respect to those who earn it - the competent - even if we have opposing views. I'm not a lose cannon who goes off for the sake of hearing himself roar. I am not advocating belligerence (though belligerence may at times be necessary to press home a point). What I am stating is that we need to stand for something and not be afraid of standing up for it, no matter who our challenger is. I mess up and step out of line often, and accept my lumps thoughtfully. If I screwed up, I'll accept that. What I won't accept is taking it on the chin simply because the person giving me the lumps is in a perceived power of authority over me. The only way others have power over us is if we allow them to. It is a game in many minds, and we always have the choice of not playing.
Apathy and a sense of entitlement will be the downfall of Western civilisation. We need to be civil, inclusive and respectful, but in a manner that is productive and realistic. We need to reintroduce passion in our opinions, endeavor to make ourselves better and not live in fear of rocking the proverbial boat. The injustices in our society are sickening, the vast majority of politicians and bureaucrats attempt to mirror what the percieved wants are, and then manipulate and decieve - of which we are all aware but do nothing.
In conclusion, it would appear that the unreliable have beaten out the reliable for the job. Nietzsche and Ayn Rand where are you?
Labels: apathy, lack of honesty, mediocrity
posted by Ed Meers @ 1/28/2010 07:01:00 p.m.
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