Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 28, 2004 16:41:49 GMT
You may have a nomination here. Perhaps you have had the worst job ever.  But, just imagine all the nasty things that have to be done to keep the wheels of our economies and our incessant whims going. Please describe the most unpleasant, demeaning, stressful or dangerous jobs that you can think of. How many of these tasks have been created due to the changing needs of society? Also have first world fantasies created third world slavery?....do rhetorical questions require a question mark? ;D...... |
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Post by Neo Stella on Mar 28, 2004 16:55:16 GMT
This only exists when you fail to see the purpose. Human beings are extremely resilient. We can cope with some very overwelming experiences when we know why. Take that away and our spirit evaporates.
The greatest service exists in the most degrading jobs imaginable. (Cleaning up excretement from one you love for example) The purpose is clear, so the job is endured and expresses your love.
The third world question has its answer in ignorance. Power is maintained within these communities by keeping the subjects in the dark as to their real choices. Educate them and they can be empowered.
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 28, 2004 17:14:08 GMT
This only exists when you fail to see the purpose. Human beings are extremely resilient. We can cope with some very overwelming experiences when we know why. Take that away and our spirit evaporates. True. If not for this resilence, high school drop-outs would be unwilling to serve my fast food without spitting in it. Yeah but what about scooping up the excrement from 100 billion chickens cause we love our 'McNuggets'? Also true, but too simplistic. WE are the ones who need educating even moreso. Corporations bank on our willingness to turn a blind eye in order to get our designer sneakers made cheaper by 12 year old orphans - often sold by their parents into slave labor. To accept 'outsourcing' to third world countries that do not care about pollution, human rights or minimum wages is an indictment against us as well. The corporations are guilty for sure; but, ultimately, we allow it. |
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Post by Neo Stella on Mar 28, 2004 21:00:31 GMT
Also true, but too simplistic. WE are the ones who need educating even moreso. Corporations bank on our willingness to turn a blind eye in order to get our designer sneakers made cheaper by 12 year old orphans - often sold by their parents into slave labor. To accept 'outsourcing' to third world countries that do not care about pollution, human rights or minimum wages is an indictment against us as well. The corporations are guilty for sure; but, ultimately, we allow it. If the answer was simple Al the problem would already be solved. The key, as you so rightly put is in educating ourselves also. The system that has served us in the west may not be the liberator for those in the third world. I see a new way to tackle all those who take advantage of less fortunate peoples of the world. It is the theme of my second book. |
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Post by Neo Stella on Mar 29, 2004 7:30:52 GMT
Yeah but what about scooping up the excrement from 100 billion chickens cause we love our 'McNuggets'? Al, you have such a strong streak of cynisism through you. Is this what life does to us? Return to your childhood dreams and see what the world can be like. The power of dreams can make what you currently experience seem like a nightmare to leave behind. (Or perhaps you enjoy the nightmare?!) |
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 29, 2004 13:34:25 GMT
Al, you have such a strong streak of cynisism through you. Is this what life does to us? Return to your childhood dreams and see what the world can be like. The power of dreams can make what you currently experience seem like a nightmare to leave behind. (Or perhaps you enjoy the nightmare?!) It's called reality, check it out. I'll admit to the power of dreams. Your's have the power to iritate the crap out of me. ;D |
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Post by Neo Stella on Mar 29, 2004 16:33:09 GMT
It's called reality, check it out. I'll admit to the power of dreams. Your's have the power to iritate the crap out of me. ;D That certainly goes against my intentions Al.  |
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 29, 2004 17:16:24 GMT
Sorry, It's just that being told that I'm cynical pisses me off. I happen to be an optimistic and free thinking. I really don't need someone telling me to dream more.
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Post by Neo Stella on Mar 29, 2004 21:40:14 GMT
Sorry, It's just that being told that I'm cynical pisses me off. I happen to be an optimistic and free thinking. I really don't need someone telling me to dream more. This post helps me lose faith, I obviously overate my ability to enlighten. Crossing swords with you shows I haven't yet progressed from the middle ages. New Altruism; one will never make it.  |
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Post by strabley on Mar 31, 2004 17:33:45 GMT
Well, it can't be compared to cleaning up dung or forced child labor, but I'd like to mention what I believe to be one of the most psychologically damaging jobs: telemarketing. Especially if you work such a job on commission. Eight hours a day of getting hung up on and rejected. Perhaps I'm just too emotionally unstable to handle this?  Then why is it that everyone I know who worked in this field will unanimously tell you it was indeed the worst job they ever had. Telemarketing should be banned. It is one of those things that have driven people away from each other, to the point where we are bothered rather than delighted to talk to new people. Corrosion of a society, yet again, yet again. |
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Post by Xanadu on Mar 31, 2004 18:37:39 GMT
Well, it can't be compared to cleaning up dung or forced child labor, but I'd like to mention what I believe to be one of the most psychologically damaging jobs: telemarketing. Especially if you work such a job on commission. Eight hours a day of getting hung up on and rejected. Perhaps I'm just too emotionally unstable to handle this? Then why is it that everyone I know who worked in this field will unanimously tell you it was indeed the worst job they ever had. Telemarketing should be banned. It is one of those things that have driven people away from each other, to the point where we are bothered rather than delighted to talk to new people. Corrosion of a society, yet again, yet again. Here, Here! ::claps in agreement:: It's far to easy to point a disgusting or degrading jobs as the worst, of course they are the first that leap to mind. I have worked both as a telemarketer for a community center and customer service agent for a auto service/dealership. Luckily, neither were on commission, since I had a regularly paying position at the companies and these were only a part of my responsibilities. Ruined me for customers forever! I hate dealing with them. When I was selling, I would get an hours earful of their complaints. When I was performing 5 star duties, I would call for surveys and follow-ups and get the same thing. A few HUNDRED TIMES a day! And just the sheer rudeness. But I have to say... on the other side now... I hate them just as much. I think it may have started as an honorable selling device, but we're far from it now and it should be banned. Let's see... hmmm... another terrible job... Get back to you. |
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Post by strabley on Mar 31, 2004 19:39:15 GMT
On the picking up excrement topic, at the Oscars the director of the 60's classic film "The Party" (was that Blake Edwards?  ) spoke of the production assistant that had to scoop up the elephant dung. As he would shovel, he would loudly sing "There's no business like show business" ;D  |
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Post by Adey on Mar 31, 2004 19:43:19 GMT
Good example Sheila. Tele sales. I can't disagree with anything you or Xan have posted on the subject. I sympathise with the folks doing the job, yet detest them when I get the calls early evening. It's a job that I think demeans everyone - customer and company alike.
I always think of failed salesman Gill [ah whats it gonna take to keep you on the phone...] from the Simpsons. God, what a tragic figure.
At one time, I was a Housing Officer for the local authority. I remember trying to hold back an increasingly angry crowd of neighbours from the home of a suspected peodophile. I remember thinking then, what job is worse than this. Also rationing homes to people in the greatest need, something else I don't miss.
Air traffic controllers - that can't be a hoot.
Social Workers - worked with them on cases, happy to criticise them, would never do it myself.
I like Sven's question, about 1st world fantasies creating 3rd world slavery. No doubt some business execs might prefer to say " creating opportunities ". Agree too with AT's point about our turning a blind eye for the sake of a cheaper pair of Reaboks. We need to be ethical customers if we want ethical business.
I don't suppose you can point to one job and say with absolute confidence that's the worst. Does misery come in degrees?
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Post by strabley on Mar 31, 2004 22:09:02 GMT
Air traffic control--nice one Adey. My dad studied briefly to be one--was even offered a very handsomely salaried position, then decided he couldn't take the stress. The only job I can think of that is simultaneously boring and stressful. I wonder if they have morbid moments where the tunnel vision is so great that they almost wish a plane would crash... Although thought to be glamourous by little boys, I wouldn't want to be a firefighter either. Would you have wanted to be one in New York on Sept 11 2001? Also, there seems to be a trend in Chicago for little kids to get hit by commuter trains. (I think we're up to 8 just this year already) My mom's friend's grandson got killed by one a month ago. (He had just gotten off the train, in town for his other Grandmother's funeral, didn't see or hear the cross train, double funeral ) Anyway, guess who had to scrape his remains off of the tracks--the firefighters. I feel faint thinking about it. |
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
|
Post by Sven Golly on Apr 1, 2004 0:39:32 GMT
On the picking up excrement topic, at the Oscars the director of the 60's classic film "The Party" (was that Blake Edwards? ) spoke of the production assistant that had to scoop up the elephant dung. As he would shovel, he would loudly sing "There's no business like show business" ;D I like the line delivered by Jay in the trailer for "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" after running into a landscaped backdrop and declaring "I hate how fake Hollywood is" ;D |
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Then why is it that everyone I know who worked in this field will unanimously tell you it was indeed the worst job they ever had. Telemarketing should be banned. It is one of those things that have driven people away from each other, to the point where we are bothered rather than delighted to talk to new people. Corrosion of a society, yet again, yet again. 
