> From: Jed Rothwell > If I were the dictator of the world I would keep > everyone busy! I have tons of homework assignments,
... Hi Jed, Really enjoyed reading your "prisoner of wealth" essay. There is considerable wisdom in what is being said here. Well thought out. Two personal thoughts: One: As a state employee for the state of Wisconsin I know various departments are carefully evaluating the ramifications of telecommuting. The agency I work for, the Department of Transportation, has in fact, allowed certain employees to work from home. Some are handicapped and this has been an absolute god-send for them. Other's have successfully argued that they would get more done if they didn't have to travel so much back and forth. These are individuals who spend an hour or two on the road just getting to and from work. It's still an up hill battle however. There are obvious data security issues - making sure information transmitted through the lines are secure. Of course, there is hardware and software available to address these issues. Personally, I suspect the greater obstacle is the cultural one where managers fear they are losing control of all they lord over. If they can't regularly peer over the cubicle walls to see if their minions are toiling away in their little cells what purpose do their own jobs serve? That's going to take some adjustment time! ;-) Two: As for "homework assignments". I don't think I would enjoy study hall if I knew you were the monitor. I fear I'd get into trouble too many times - a conflict of interest over what constitutes legitimate "homework assignments". I'll have to read your book one of these days. Regards, Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com
