Weekend of fun.

[silveradept]

This gem in my e-mail box today.

"Contrary to what you may read in a vision or mission statement, nobody goes into business to make the world a better place."

Is there anyone else who thinks this is both indicative of what's wrong with the world today and how it got in the mess that it is in?

Heavy bias, a psychological problem? An interesting thought. Also a weapon that will likely get used in multiple ways. This might be the secular world's retort to how many of the religious think certain conditions are psychotic and unnatural. If you express the opinion that you think gay people are immoral, someone might diagnose you as a homophobe and send you off for treatment. Same if you believe in the Jewish World Conspiracy, or have a membership in the KKK. Imagine being locked up in a mental institution for simply expressing a potentially well-founded and researched thought that "X minority is a cause of much of the crime in the world". That could be a committable offense. Of course, I would expect it to be wielded the other way, as well, so that people who feel Persecuted by the secular world could lash out by trying to get them diagnosed as religiously biased and put them on treatment, too. Could be one step closer to the theocracy if wielded improperly.

And finally, I went to a party. It was wonderful and food-filled. When parking, I was courteous and pulled myself off to the side, there might have been a small incline, but I didn't think it was going to be a problem. Until I tried to get out, that is. And then I found out my car doesn't have the traction to get itself out of even a small incline without help. But rather than do the smart thing and ask for help, I tried to get out a number of ways. I eventually managed to get myself all the way across from my goal. I got frustrated, I went in and asked for help. I can the razzing I rightfully deserved for screwing things up, but with an experienced guy at the helm and a couple other pushers, we did finally get my car out and I got home. I don't feel quite so bad because the other car that was similarly inclined also needed a push to get out, but I still feel like an idiot for compounding the problem. Guess I am the typical male, and more so the typical male with no common sense. Anyway, it's still too late for me to say much more than this, so its off to bed I go.

Comments

[aoanla.livejournal.com]

Arguably, though, any extreme deviation from the human mental, physical or cultural norms might be regarded as a "disorder", regardless of the disabling nature of the particular deviation. (See, for example, the autisic and deaf communities, both of which have rights movements devoted to preserving their particular status, and resisting the societial pressure to "cure" their conditions.) The fact that people have only just started considering extreme racial biases as such a disorder is just a reflection of the increasing preceived abnormality of such a stance.

[silveradept]

In a somewhat cynical manner, I note, then, that affirmative action is working. Perhaps not as intended, but it is doing some part of its job in raising awareness, whether its true or not, of the inequities of race.

[greyweirdo.livejournal.com]

Get a big tub of kitty litter. Get two even. Put them in the trunk. When you get stuck, through it down under the tires. This will provide needed traction at a moment's notice. Also if you have rear wheel drive (which few cars do anymore) it'll add weight to those wheels.

[silveradept]

Hrm. Will have to remember that. Truth be told, I don't usually get into many places where I need extra traction over the winter, so it may not be a giant tub of kitty litter.

[greyweirdo.livejournal.com]

Good way to meet girls. You could be the helpful guy who saved them in a moment of desperation. You and your kitty litter! We could get you some tights and a mask, and you could be... "Get Cute Girls Out Of The Snow Man!"

[greyweirdo.livejournal.com]

"Contrary to what you may read in a vision or mission statement, nobody goes into business to make the world a better place."

And did you just get this as spam or what? Cause Clara Barton got into business to make the world a better place. The Orginization she founded is huge. True, they need some drugs now and then because they once had rules saying that Jews and Blacks couldn't give blood and now say Homosexuals can't, but still, they take in millions.

For that matter a million geeks did too. Those guys who invented the spread sheet program that all others are based on...

I think the writer of that e-mail has a very narrow view of the world and would treat altruism with suspicion and derision. Truly a lost cause, migh as well just harvest their organs and be done with them.

[silveradept]

No, this was no random spam. Certainly, many non-profits have to be run like businesses to keep themselves fiscally solvent. And some people, perhaps on corporate levels that don't leave the local paper actually do run their businesses to make the world a bettr place and back it up with money and such, but it seems more and more that the national and multinational corporations are paying more attention to the profits of their executives than the plight of their workers.

[greyweirdo.livejournal.com]

I didn't say all corporations were altruistic, I'm just saying that some people do get into bussiness to try and make the world a better place. The person made a very definate and absolute statement that NOBODY does. I argue that statement and will defend my position with great zeal.

True, many people are trying to screw the world out of everything they can get, but not everyone. That's my problem with the statement, it sort of ignores all the people in the world who are decent in order to make it seem like evil has taken or' the land.

Being too cynical will eat you alive if you let it.

I've been in art too long to believe that everyone in the world is in it for the money. People like to say that everyone is doing it just for the money if they themselves can't think of another reason to do something.

If you just look for the negative, that's all you'll find.

While I agree that the forces of E.V.I.L. are thriving, they haven't nearly won yet.

[silveradept]

V.I.L.E. has had several banner years in recruiting in this decade so far. And while the absolute statement is wrong (and hopefully stays that way), I'll grant, the prospects do not look good. Perhaps this is media spin, but it really does look like all the people who do care are being bought out, forcefully or otherwise, by the people who don't, or the good guys are being driven out by the people who don't want their great inventions making people's lives better.

I'd really rather see that trend reversed, even if it does mean that the CEOs suffer on their paychecks.

[kaura-nighthawk.livejournal.com]

Capitalism doesn't have anything to do with making the world better. >_> Not inherently. A higher standard of living doesn't necessarily mean a more fulfilling lifestyle, after all.

Capitalism needs to be coupled with something else altogether in order to achieve a fundamentally "better" world.

(no, Mork, not socialism. =P)

[aoanla.livejournal.com]

Capitalism is, fundamentally, about the acquisition of Capital. Hence, arguably, it is about making as much profit as possible, regardless of the effect on other people (except to the extent that this effects your future profits).

[sharkcowsheep.livejournal.com]

I read that article and I was floored when I finished it and not one person had mentioned the most important criterion for a mental disorder. The DSM-IV is based on it.

"Does the condition embitter your life?"

People can labor under the belief that Jews or gays or pagans or dinner rolls are out to get them, but if they can still hold down a job, have a social life, and take care of themselves they are NOT disordered. They may still benefit from talk therapy, but they are not mentally ill.

Slapping a disorder onto somebody with minor or transitory symptoms started going out of fashion back with the DSM-III. As the list of disorders is refined and expanded, most professionals have seen the need to raise the bar on defining mental illness or we'd ALL end up with one.

[silveradept]

Hrm. Well, one can only hope that the standards-writers aren't swayed by the politics raging around them. And that someone doesn't apply pressure in the wrong sort of way to make things happen where they shouldn't.