Devolution or The Man-Child Incident (s)
Devolution: Retrograde evolution; degeneration.
A sad and funny thing is going on over here at work. I say sad, but what I really mean is pathetic, and by funny, I mean immature bullshit. In most cases I tolerate it just fine because people amuse me for the most part. They are after all part of my inspiration and they are always fun to poke. I have never really hated anyone because that is a very be all, end all sort of thing but if I did I would say now that,“I use to hate people, now I just make fun of them, it’s more effective that way.” , or something along those lines.
The fact of the matter is that most people after a certain age are incapable of change; they refuse it like an infant refusing to eat the food placed in front of them. They give no regard to the idea that changing their thought process may actually be good for them. It seems a lost cause for they have never grown up or went through any sort of “rite of passage” to learn how to be a man. Therefore, it stands to reason that they are nothing short of a “man-child”.
I love it when some un-evolved troglodyte tries to incite a reaction out of me by mocking a show of emotion on my part. It is their mistake to assume my show of said emotion as a sign of weakness when in fact it is the exact opposite: it is a sign of strength. Sure, if someone would be reading this and disagree they would laugh but those aren’t the sort of people that read my blog and if by chance they would read it, well, it is my website, so they can fuck right off. This here is my little corner of hell and I can ostracize anyone I see unfit.
Now back to my story:
You would think with the state of this country and the world at present people would appreciate their jobs more, I know I do. Sadly, this is not the case. People have this unfaltering sense of entitlement that – quite frankly is as much disturbing as it is amusing. No one here is “owed” anything by anyone. I do not care who you are or what you did before you came here, you are owed nothing. I know I was not there when you finally did get hired, but I am 99.9% sure that they did not hold you hostage and have a .45 pointed at your head, forcing you to take this wonderful, overpaid job that you now hold.
If you hate it here so much, quit; walk out the door and never look back. Trust me, you will not be missed and you can be easily replaced. Oh, that’s right, you won’t because you’re a pussy and your bark is definitely worse than your bite. Your balloon is just about out of hot air, so you better think of something before you crash.
This may come off as crass and cynical but that could not be further from the truth. I realize the inflection in my voice can not be transmitted via these words, but believe me, the tone is there. If you read this the way it should be read, you will see the satire and not the anger. Both are there of course but one more so than the other. It is your choice so hopefully you make the right one.
I have never held a job where most of the employees work harder at trying not to work than to actually work. It is preposterous really and I tried it once about 9 years ago. Do you want to know how long it lasted? Not even one 8 hour shift. I could not do it and it has nothing to do with my “personal work ethic” at all. I could not do it because it was more work trying not to work than actually do my job. It took more energy and concentration to focus on trying to screw off than it did to just do what was required of me as per my job description. So, big applause to all those slackers who don’t do any work because they have a shit load of extra energy to waste on doing nothing; shit, I know you deserve a “big thumbs up”.
At the end of the day when I walk out the door it means nothing. These are not people I have to see or deal with outside of the work place, but for 40 plus hours a week I do, and it takes its toll. But what is even more disheartening is that this seems to be the case in the outside world as well. People are generally good so I am told, but I fail to see it on most days. I do not choose to see only the bad, I do encounter the odd caring person on occasion, but for the most part I get the self-absorbed, pretentious pricks; those with no moral compass or social grace. Sometimes I wonder: Have we always been this way and I didn’t realize it until now or is it just a recent change within the last few decades? Whatever the case may be, I am pretty sure that we do not have enough “diapers” in stock.
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The infantile behaviors one bares witness to or is on the receiving end of often boggles the mind, and yet the final result – their stewing within the ignorance of their own making, seems not only just but serendipitously poetic.
Does pitch and severity of tone of temper tantrum fail to register? Why is control lost? How does one toss etiquette and grace out Satan’s rear window all the while expecting utmost courtesy?
With the slightest of slight’s the reptilian id – “that” Oedipus child attempts to stab out your eyes whilst he/she fumbles about in the dark (one of their own making), attempting to blind you to their truth, their own inadequacy.
Ah, the perpetual man-beast who’s never heard or accepted being told “no” – alas, there are many, and more are being hatched every day. Their battles many and wagged by one. All have been epic – according to them, but completely ineffective when it comes to their emotional/intellectual development.
Where can the man-child find self-actualization when it is not offered in the latest video game? What can the man-child expect of inter-personal relationships when Galileo’s truth – that the universe does not revolve around him or his needs, is revealed? When does the ego and/or superego harness the out of control id? And most importantly, how long will the diapered-Neanderthal be given any credence – other than a moment’s laughter?
In closing; Homer Simpson explaining work politics = the absence of work ethic to his daughter Lisa; “You don’t strike Lisa, you go in every day and do the job completely half-assed. That’s the American way.”
I would like to point out to the audience, a few key words that you used that are very excellent in their description of this current topic:
Infantile, Oedipus, inadequacy, Homer Simpson, that about sums it up. The first three words are lost on the people I work with. The third will grad their attention simply because it is a character on the idiot box. They probably after what, 20 years, haven’t figured out that the entire show is mocking them.
And yes, once again, your comment reads better then my post. It must be that fresh Canadian air, up there. I have to go keep my Id in check.
You have struck a chord like no other with this commentary. I completely ‘get’ what you are saying. For the last 20 years of my career there, I saw, heard, felt and experienced those exact attitudes, perhaps from some of the same ‘obliviots’ who now make your days less than fulfilling. What I do know is this; never once in 30 years did I ever feel ‘entitled’ to anything. I truly feel that I earned every chance or opportunity that came my way. And yes, I agree on the overpaid part. It was indeed wonderful to receive that kind of paycheck, but it was just as much luck to find such great fortune. To think that a former truck loader, shoe packer and burger slinger could finally support a family and buy a house was beyond belief. One of the luckiest people in the world, and I knew it. Grateful past reason and to the consternation of my wife and kids as well, to whom I replied “but this job makes our life and all that we now have possible.” Truly, nothing was owed to me, or anyone else, but to look and listen all around, my opinion was but a very small and unusual one.
As memory serves me, I actually think I did try that ‘experiment’ of getting out of work, slacking off. Not sure if I made it to 8 hours or not, but it was definitely one of the longest days of my career.
My take on when did this all start? Seems to me, in my diminished capacity of recall, that I first noticed this ‘disease’ around 1983. Not to say there were not one or two sandbaggers, but by ’83 it seems that a whole ‘new breed’ started showing up, immediately wanting the top dollar, best days off, the ‘clean’ jobs, maybe even your own job that it took you years to finally land.
The good ones, as you may have noticed are in short and dwindling supply. I feel bad about it; not so much for me now, but for my children and grandchildren. It may already be too late; instant gratification and ‘reality’ now reign supreme.
Well TV, I can not disagree with a word you said since you know exactly what I am speaking of. It isn’t as if you and I have not spoke of this behavior before your “passing”. Of course by passing I mean your retirement (jealous).
I won’t go as far to say I have been “blessed” to have this almost excellent job but I have been damn lucky and for that I am thankful. Even on my worst day, after 16 years, I still like my actual job. Now if there were a way I could get rid of all of the knuckle-heads it would be perfect.
I think that it started long before 1983 but that is just an opinion. But I think that you last paragraph sums it up to a “T”. I want and I need have replaced may I and it seems to only be getting worse.
It is good to see and read your words old friend. And by old I am not speaking of your age. Even though you are quite ancient, especially in dog years. Take care Tim and thank you for stopping by.
Wonderful write. Do you ever worry that someone from your job will find this? There is a logical explanation for my question. I hear about freedom of speech but then people get fired because they mentioned the name of a company or one of the higher ups in a negative tone.
I have a fun group here at work. I like them all and although some days we would like nothing more than to make a ton of money somewhere else the truth is that in this economy we have to stick together and make it work. I’ve been here almost as long as you have been at your job and I’m thankful every other thursday when I do payroll.
Good question Sandra. One that I have thought of from time to time but that is about as far as it goes.
Now you may ask why.
Well, you see, I did just write a article/blog about my work environment and the children I work with. But not once did I mention WHERE or WHOM I work for. Not once did I bad mouth my actual employer.
I actual do really like my job. It is something different almost everyday. So no, I do not worry too much about it. I tried to be as vague as possible. Since there is no slander or libel I won’t lose any sleep over it.
yet.