The Rudolph Christmas story is pretty ubiquitous, but I've never been quite sure what the moral is supposed to be. Maybe it's an ugly duckling thing, where as long as you turn out good looking in the end, it's ok: Rudolph had a freak nose, but it's fine because it was useful.
Anyway, the point I always take away from the story is that the other reindeer are assholes. They taunt Rudolph and won't play with him because he's different than they are. So he's got a red nose. Big deal. But these elitist, douchebag reindeer won't let him in. He's totally alone and has no friends. Where's the moral here?
But then! Oh! Rudolph saves Christmas with his bright freak nose. And you know what happens then? Those shallow, snide, two-faced jerks are all buddy-buddy with him now that he's Santa's favorite. Yeah, they were too good for him before, but now that he's famous, they're more than willing to slime up to him and act like friends. Rudolph needs to tell them where to shove it and find some real friends.
I'd link some pictures with the word "Douches" and some arrows pointing at the other reindeer, but they're probably copyrighted and I wouldn't put it past whoever owns it to come get me.
December 6, 2010
November 10, 2010
Signs I Don't Understand
There are a few common signs that I don't really see the point in having.
I'm reasonably certain that trespassing isn't ok anywhere at any time. I don't see signs hanging around that say, "No Theft," "No Racketeering," or "No Telemarketing Fraud." They're not necessary. People either already know not to do those things or don't care that they're illegal.
But Trespassing needs to be posted, because we'll apparently assume it's fine otherwise.
Of course, if you live in the Midwest, what the sign really means is, "I'll shoot you if I see you on my property."
2) "Straight Only" Arrows
That's all I can think of. But I dislike them both fervently. Any suggestions?
.
1) No Trespassing
I'm reasonably certain that trespassing isn't ok anywhere at any time. I don't see signs hanging around that say, "No Theft," "No Racketeering," or "No Telemarketing Fraud." They're not necessary. People either already know not to do those things or don't care that they're illegal.
But Trespassing needs to be posted, because we'll apparently assume it's fine otherwise.
Of course, if you live in the Midwest, what the sign really means is, "I'll shoot you if I see you on my property."
2) "Straight Only" Arrows
These serve no purpose except to distract you by making you panic that you're in a turn only lane even though you're not. They are completely useless. The arrows that normally exist are on Turn Only lanes. They serve a good purpose.
However, I didn't know the Straight Only arrows existed until I almost plowed into a Hummer because I thought I was in the wrong lane. But no, I wasn't! There's just some superfluous arrow telling you things you already know in a fashion of a warning.
That's all I can think of. But I dislike them both fervently. Any suggestions?
.
October 24, 2010
Abusing Power
A well known fact is that the only reason to have power is to abuse it as much as you can. The natural reaction to obtaining power is to use it for personal gain at whatever expense is required.
That being said, there is a curve for the temptation of abuse. Here's a graph, because everyone loves graphs.
If you work in a job where your direct boss isn't present for example, you can take advantage of that situation by slacking off almost constantly and acting like doing work is a giant and unexpected hassle, and that the people asking you to perform your job duties are being rude. You can respond to their questions with anger and disdain. You can ignore their petty requests and chat up your friends in plain sight of the petitioner with total impunity. They probably don't even know who your boss is, so they won't complain. Besides, you're the only one that can answer their questions so they'll need to be nice to you no matter how unfair that is.
A lot of people abuse their power, but none quite so cruelly as the young person that got promoted over the more experienced workers. Here's a comic I wrote and my wife drew (backstory in the FAQ page).
A nineteen year old manager is not something you want. It's not something anyone wants, but it happens. They will demean you, and they will order you around. And there's nothing you can reasonably do and expect to keep your job and stay out of prison. NOTHING. You must endure the shame and despair. But not all is lost! After long enough, shame and despair will seem like old friends. And your pal cognitive dissonance will help you convince yourself that it's not so bad. I mean, other people have it way worse than you. Everything's fine! Hell, maybe it's great!
Even nice and well meaning people can be easily corrupted by power. Even if they don't turn totally evil, they will use their power to "make things better." The stumbling block here is that once they obtain power, they obviously know what's best and have the right ideas. Those ideas will be implemented. Even if there's tons of contradictory evidence that says their ideas are like rancid pig vomit, the power stuffed in their ears and clouding their eyes will prevent this information from reaching them.
But never fear! Cognitive dissonance will still be there to comfort you!
That being said, there is a curve for the temptation of abuse. Here's a graph, because everyone loves graphs.
If you work in a job where your direct boss isn't present for example, you can take advantage of that situation by slacking off almost constantly and acting like doing work is a giant and unexpected hassle, and that the people asking you to perform your job duties are being rude. You can respond to their questions with anger and disdain. You can ignore their petty requests and chat up your friends in plain sight of the petitioner with total impunity. They probably don't even know who your boss is, so they won't complain. Besides, you're the only one that can answer their questions so they'll need to be nice to you no matter how unfair that is.
A lot of people abuse their power, but none quite so cruelly as the young person that got promoted over the more experienced workers. Here's a comic I wrote and my wife drew (backstory in the FAQ page).
A nineteen year old manager is not something you want. It's not something anyone wants, but it happens. They will demean you, and they will order you around. And there's nothing you can reasonably do and expect to keep your job and stay out of prison. NOTHING. You must endure the shame and despair. But not all is lost! After long enough, shame and despair will seem like old friends. And your pal cognitive dissonance will help you convince yourself that it's not so bad. I mean, other people have it way worse than you. Everything's fine! Hell, maybe it's great!
Even nice and well meaning people can be easily corrupted by power. Even if they don't turn totally evil, they will use their power to "make things better." The stumbling block here is that once they obtain power, they obviously know what's best and have the right ideas. Those ideas will be implemented. Even if there's tons of contradictory evidence that says their ideas are like rancid pig vomit, the power stuffed in their ears and clouding their eyes will prevent this information from reaching them.
But never fear! Cognitive dissonance will still be there to comfort you!
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