--- In [email protected], Sal Sunshine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Dec 17, 2006, at 4:19 PM, TurquoiseB wrote: > > > --- In [email protected], "sparaig" <sparaig@> wrote: > >> > >> I guess the REAL point of SV is that if humans > >> can't make their houses fit into nice neat rows, > >> then probably humans shouldn't be living on that > >> land... > > > > Wow. > > > > I just don't know how to react to this. Part of > > me hopes that you're kidding, and another part is > > horrified to consider the possibility that you're > > not. > > > > Do you honestly believe that you can realize > > enlightenment while trying to make your life fit > > into nice neat rows? > > Sure--hey, it's something to aspire to... > > Little Boxes > > by Malvina Reynolds, sung by Pete Seeger 1962 > > Little boxes on the hillside, > Little boxes made of ticky tacky > Little boxes on the hillside, > Little boxes all the same, > There's a green one and a pink one > And a blue one and a yellow one > And they're all made out of ticky tacky > And they all look just the same. > > And the people in the houses > All went to the university > Where they were put in boxes > And they came out all the same > And there's doctors and lawyers > And business executives > And they're all made out of ticky tacky > And they all look just the same. > > And they all play on the golf course > And drink their martinis dry > And they all have pretty children > And the children go to school, > And the children go to summer camp > And then to the university > Where they are put in boxes > And they come out all the same. > > And the boys go into business > And marry and raise a family > In boxes made of ticky tacky > And they all look just the same, > There's a green one and a pink one > And a blue one and a yellow one > And they're all made out of ticky tacky > And they all look just the same. > > Words and music by Malvina Reynolds. > Copyright 1962, Schroder Music Company
Ah, yes. Maharishi's vision of "coherence" and "being in tune with the laws of nature" incarnate: http://www.sthapatyaveda.com/city_planning/images/village_big.jpg The song reminded me of a rant by Dilbert creator Scott Adams, on another form of "little boxes." See if his description of offices and businesses built around the idea of putting people into tiny uniform boxes doesn't remind you of another organization: After 17 years of "working for large oppressive companies," first at a large bank in San Francisco and then Pacific Bell, Mr Adams understood employment ennui. "If you are spending 10 hours a day in a little box managed by an idiot, it can't help but scar you," he said. Instead of sitting back and waiting to be sacked, Mr Adams translated employment insecurity into action. He penned the Dilbert Principle, and the cartoon flowed from that. The Principle simply states that in a modern corporation: "The best use of resources is to promote the dumbest employee to where he can do the least damage. That is in management." The corollary to the Dilbert Principle is that when regular employees are promoted to management, they experience a sudden and inexplicable conversion. As normal employees, they had no misconceptions about the utter uselessness of misguided motivational tactics. But the promotion to management must necessarily involve some tactical transplant. "When they become a manager, they suddenly think it works. They think that if they give an employee a cup of coffee instead of a raise, their morale will soar," Mr Adams said. Putting workers into little boxes Somehow, he managed to avoid joining the ranks of management. He had an MBA, usually a ticket straight into the head office, but he was spared. How? "By not being promoted. That was my secret." Mr Adams said he stood no chance of being promoted. "I'm short and I have bad hair." He is quick to point out the American workplace is full of ironies in addition to the Dilbert Principle, including the origin of the cubicle. The nearly ubiquitous feature of American offices turned 30 this year. Three decades ago, office furniture companies approached corporate America with an idea. They had developed a modular system that would allow companies to customise the workspace for each specific employee. This was the original idea behind the cubicle. Managers immediately seized upon the idea, but not because they liked the adaptability, but rather they saw an opportunity for uniformity. They thought they could save a bundle of money. "It started off to make the office fit the employee, but the employees aren't the ones who spend the money. Their vote didn't count." He said that although cubicles don't seem to be as popular in Europe he thinks it's just a matter of time. "I think, at least in all of the Western countries, any time someone has a bad idea, it travels."
