In the University of Life, man has achieved the highest mark possible in two subject areas. First is the ability to devise and manufacture ever-more ingenious methods of killing more people as quickly as possible. (I hope that the days of “MAD – mutually assured destruction” are behind us – but you never know). The second subject is the rape, loot and general destruction that he has achieved in rapidly making his home planet uninhabitable; fouled air, fouled water, declining habitats for others than himself and all in the name of enjoying his so-called “important necessary luxuries” of life.
Moreover, the same applies to us as individuals, wherever we work. At best, our “superiors” consider us as people, at worst, we are numbers (or mindless robots) or even worse, as rats running through a maze and in need of their full control. People are NOT resources, since resources have a habit of running out; we/they are ASSETS and like all assets, when you treat them well they increase in value. Thus it should be in companies; but this is a luxury which those in “authority” would say is inappropriate given the times in which we live and operate. I’m sorry, but these are “weasel words” – said to placate the collective but often dubious ethics of senior operatives. As Norman Cousins says above “each time we allow ourselves to be treated as something less than human, a small spark inside of us dies, never to be a light in the world again”.
Peripatetic Scribe
A very appropriate article, P.S. as we have been having a school debate about "self-worth" and how those in senior positions try to "beat it out of you". The idea of a "spark of light" that will never be seen in the world again is something I shall pass on, especially to those who will soon be trying to get a job.
ReplyDeleteVery appropriate, indeed! Particularly during the current crisis, when people are sometimes led into believing they need to be treated as something less than human in order to merely make ends meet. Someone needs to remind them that it need not necessarily be so and that there must be other choices.
ReplyDeleteLucana
Good thinking Anonymous - the first job is always the toughest and often where serious damage is done to the "new boy on the job". Will send some material to help.
ReplyDeleteIn a crisis, "dubious" senior executives feel they can "play God" with subordinate staff - this causes immediate troubles to the individual and (even though they are unaware of it) to the executives - word gets around about their behaviour and their "name" suffers eventually. Thanks Lucana
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