Tales from Work: The Good and the Bad

JasonWx wrote

Johnnyonthespot wrote

JT, I feel you man. I often think when people mention to back the blue or support the troops, I'm thinking we should also thank an engineer and many other occupations. It's not every day I'm in a situation to need protection per se, but I sure as hell appreciate buildings not falling on me, my truck stopping on a dime, and my kids getting safely to school.
   So let me know if you need some curtainwall, k?

Well said Johnny..Next time your are in NYC and have a glass of water. You can thank my daughter. She designed the underground holding tank for the new Kenisco water pipeline...

That's what I'm talking about. I respect that just as much as many other occupations.

MC2 5678F589 wrote

These are political problems with political solutions, though. If we allowed developers to build more housing near where people worked, allowed more people to work from home, created more bike Lanes, or improved public transportation systems, we could cut down on commuting times.

In some grossly perverse way......I kinda sort of miss your laughable bullshit since politicrap has gone away!

campgottagopee wrote

The bad ---- it's getting harder and harder to find people who want to work. It's taken me 3 months to find 2 more people for my dept in preparation for our move. Luckily I found 2 really good ones

That said, I'm lucky that I don't have a high rate of turnover. The current sales floor I have now have been with me for years. The 2 new hires are the first I've hired in 5 years.

I don't understand most of what you posted here or how it relates to what I posted.

And I wasn't criticizing your life choices or trying to get you exercised.  I didn't even know you had a long commute.  I was just explaining my own preferences, and agreeing with PT on this:

PeeTex wrote

MMM is all about not buying into the over consumption of our society and making smart decisions.

I don't think any single thing is right for everyone.  I also don't think the economy would crash or innovation would be hindered if everyone sought out shorter commutes. I'd bet that most people would chose a shorter commute for the same job and the same money.

IMO it's capitalism. People seek out what they think is best for them.  That's what I'm doing, probably you are too.

Sorry Harvey, it seemed to me like you were siding with MC’s wholesale criticism of anyone who doesn’t eschew long commutes in favor of taking employment where they can bike or walk to work, and not waste time and resources commuting.  You seemed to double down on that by saying MMM’s advice to do just that “was good for America and the World”.  My apologies if I misread your intention.  That’s the kind of view point that MC seems happy to shove down people’s throats.  He’s wrong.  It wouldn’t be good for America or the World if EVERYONE did that.  Not possible.

That was my only point, and it turns out, after discussing it more, that you and I agree....yeah, it’s not realistic for everyone.

This...

Harvey wrote

I was just explaining my own preferences.......I don't think any single thing is right for everyone.  

....is very reasonable, and a far cry from the position that MC took.

Harvey wrote

 

IMO it's capitalism. People seek out what they think is best for them.  That's what I'm doing, probably you are too.

Nutshell

I'm somewhat jealous of guys like DMC that can work out of his house. Good friend of mine does the same thing, I could never do it. I need a place to go. If I worked from home I'd never do the work I'm supposed to rather do my own shit.

I wasn't siding with anyone. Just throwing out my 2 cents.

I do think Americans consume too much.  Compared to the rest of the world its quite a stark contrast.  I am not innocent by any means, and skiing is probably my biggest offense.

We actually consider commuting distances in hiring decisions. People will tell you anything to get the job but over the years we've seen that people who travel long distances take more sick and personal days, are more likely to arrive late and still leave right on time. And they don't last as long. You train them and they quit. They also request to work from home more. We've seen a lot of abuse with WFH and we'd rather not spend the effort policing it.

My partner and I took a young guy to lunch today as part of his review. He has a long commute, maybe an hour in the morning and an hour and 15 going home. I asked him how that was.  His answer was funny to me:

"I love the morning commute, quiet time in my car listening to podcasts. I hate the afternoon ride though, the day is over and I just want to be home."

Just more evidence that every one is different.

campgottagopee wrote

I'm somewhat jealous of guys like DMC that can work out of his house. Good friend of mine does the same thing, I could never do it. I need a place to go. If I worked from home I'd never do the work I'm supposed to rather do my own shit.

I'm the same way. I live 2 blocks from work and go to the office if I have to work on a weekend.

JTG4eva! wrote

....is very reasonable, and a far cry from the position that MC took.

Can you explain what my position is, and describe how you came to that conclusion?

You guys are really coming with weak shit lately. Lots of assumptions. Nothing to back them up.

I know several people who like their commute. To each their own, it’s not for me. I have been running my business out of my house for years. I started out limiting my time to 20 hours/week after I turned 65 but have been working an average of 50 since December. Unfortunately I am only getting paid for a fraction of that, the rest is boot strapping a startup, we just started shipping product a month ago. It’s been a crazy time but I love it, it keeps me young (well as young as I can expect). My issue is I am not getting enough exercise.

Johnnyonthespot wrote

I can respect the developmentally disabled who try.

Sure, so can I.  It just seemed odd to have 3 people doing the work.  Two I can understand.

MC2 5678F589 wrote

Can you explain what my position is, and describe how you came to that conclusion?

I’m not going to do that.  I will make some observations regarding statements you’ve made, but I’m not going to put words in your mouth.  

Rather, I’ll let you tell us your position, see if you can’t give honest answers to real world questions, answers that show you actually do want to have a meaningful discussion.  I know you won’t do any of that, but it would be nice to see the real you.

On occasion you have been critical of corporate jobs and the people who perform them.  They are either sad people who make justifications for their corporate existence, or they are people who make sad justifications for their corporate existence.  Either way, based on your statements, it appears you think a corporate existence is a poor life choice.  It’s hard to tell if you see any necessity for, or value in, those corporate jobs, the likes of which may make numbers on a computer screen go up fractionally at some point.  You’ve been equally critical of people who make long commutes, the kinds of long commutes necessary to get to those corporate jobs.

So, unless you disagree with any of my observations, why don’t you crystallize your position on corporate jobs and commutes for us.  Are they a poor choice in general, or just a poor choice for you?  Are those jobs and the commutes they require necessary, or are you just glad someone else is doing that work which needs to be done?  

I know you travel, and you obviously don’t walk and bike everywhere.  You drive your automobile over highways and bridges to get you to an airport so you can get on an airplane that takes you to destinations that employ all kinds of sophisticated equipment.  You have investments.  Perhaps you do all your investing with the local savings and loan, but I doubt it.  Not only do you have a computer and/or a smartphone, but your home is full of sophisticated electronics, electronics you use to watch television and movies.  I could go on, but do I need to?  The number of corporate jobs that touch your daily existence, that make the very fun you want to spend the majority of your time pursuing possible, is staggering.  Are you sure it’s really in your best interests, anybody’s interests,  to be so critical of those jobs and the people who perform them?

D.B. Cooper wrote

Johnnyonthespot wrote

I can respect the developmentally disabled who try.

Sure, so can I.  It just seemed odd to have 3 people doing the work.  Two I can understand.

Well, your example had the added element of a secure facility, that perhaps required an escort with certain clearances?  If the guy with the secure clearance didn’t have the skills and training to support the challenged employee....

We have a developmentally challenged individual who works in our building, and he requires someone with training to be with him.  I think it’s a nice program to allow that individual to be part of the workforce where he wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

I think commutes and corporate jobs are definitely choices that people make.

But I feel like the sacrifices that people make in their commutes and corporate jobs aren't always worth the benefits that they are getting from those commutes and corporate jobs. That's just my opinion, man. I don't understand why my opinion makes you so angry, and why you take the time to write such long screeds about me.

Harvey was certainly smart to get rid of the Politics forum. The regular forums haven't seen so much action in years.

I’m not angry....and with plenty of time to kill on my long commute  it’s an easy distraction that doesn’t take long at all.

I’ve said from day one around here, I’m most interested in people and personalities.  The topics are interesting, but the people make this place tick.  Screeds about you are easy, fish in a barrel stuff.  Why?  In addition to us being diametrically opposed on most issues.....your propensity to never answer a question or engage in meaningful discussion (case in point: your non-answer here) suggests you are disingenuous, at best.  I’ll call that shit out all day long!

Yes, the best discussions are those in which you assume a bunch of things about the person you're having a conversation with, then you argue with straw men, instead of actually engaging with that person's ideas.

I just tried to engage with your ideas and, as usual, you flat out refuse to discuss.  There’s no straw man in what I just asked you.  You make pointed statements about corporate types and commutes.  Rather than interpreting them I asked you to tell us what your position is on the subject.  You give some gobbledegook nothing answer that doesn’t address the questions asked (what’s the matter, you afraid bro?).  That’s why there are no decent discussions, just pissing matches.....which is just how I think you want it, MrCultofPersonality!

MC calls me stupid in 3....2....

What were your questions again? Tough to find in that page of personal insults.