Lessons from Dilbert - Humour (sort of)
Today's Dilbert cartoon can easily be applied to the Pagan community that I in. I am not saying that all Pagan communities are like this one (I certainly hope not), but I could also compare it to workplaces I've been in too. Make of it what you will.
The cartoon features Dilbert in the boardroom, explaining how a project plan will work. He is the person speaking in all panels but the last, but I will number the panels and make parellels to the local Pagan community.
1) Dilbert says: "Our project plan will follow the usual arc."
2) "Phase one will be unwarranted optimism supported by delusion of competence."
- Many times certain "community leaders" in this community have made grandiose plans, actually believing that they were capable of carrying them out. The more foolish people actually start to buy into their enthusiasm, never suspecting that they are going to be let down yet again.
3) "In phase two, the obstructionists will slither out of their lairs and try to smother our dreams."
- Some time after the initial announcement, lame excuses are made by the "community leaders" as to why nothing has been done yet.
4) "Ignorance and envy will fuel rumours that will get repeated until they morph into common knowledge."
- Translation: the so-called organizers will find someone to blame for their lack of action, and many people will be stupid enough to believe the rumours. Usually the scapegoat is someone who is smart enough to point out the flaws in their plans (i.e. that you actually have to do something concrete before anything will happen). Competent people must be eliminated at all costs.
5) "Resources will be allocated based on misinformation and favouritism."
- This simply means that the grandiose organizers will find people even less competent than themselves to try and pull off a half-assed version of their project at the last minute - they can always be blamed if it's a complete fiasco. It is typical to recycle the same gang of idiots again and again, even if they have other, more efficient people willing to help.
6) "And requirements will drift until the project is both undesirable and impossible."
- Translation: they suddenly realize that they are incapable of pulling it off and declare it impossible due to the bad attitude of those around them. A further translation: they lose interest and drift off to do something else, either leaving the original project in the hands of their drones or cancelling it altogether.
7) "That brings us to the second week."
- Reflects how fast these things spring up around here and die almost immediately.
8) One of the other characters in the board room says: "I want my unwarranted optimism back."
- The cycle begins again.
Anyone wonder why I've turned my back on the larger Pagan community around here?
The cartoon features Dilbert in the boardroom, explaining how a project plan will work. He is the person speaking in all panels but the last, but I will number the panels and make parellels to the local Pagan community.
1) Dilbert says: "Our project plan will follow the usual arc."
2) "Phase one will be unwarranted optimism supported by delusion of competence."
- Many times certain "community leaders" in this community have made grandiose plans, actually believing that they were capable of carrying them out. The more foolish people actually start to buy into their enthusiasm, never suspecting that they are going to be let down yet again.
3) "In phase two, the obstructionists will slither out of their lairs and try to smother our dreams."
- Some time after the initial announcement, lame excuses are made by the "community leaders" as to why nothing has been done yet.
4) "Ignorance and envy will fuel rumours that will get repeated until they morph into common knowledge."
- Translation: the so-called organizers will find someone to blame for their lack of action, and many people will be stupid enough to believe the rumours. Usually the scapegoat is someone who is smart enough to point out the flaws in their plans (i.e. that you actually have to do something concrete before anything will happen). Competent people must be eliminated at all costs.
5) "Resources will be allocated based on misinformation and favouritism."
- This simply means that the grandiose organizers will find people even less competent than themselves to try and pull off a half-assed version of their project at the last minute - they can always be blamed if it's a complete fiasco. It is typical to recycle the same gang of idiots again and again, even if they have other, more efficient people willing to help.
6) "And requirements will drift until the project is both undesirable and impossible."
- Translation: they suddenly realize that they are incapable of pulling it off and declare it impossible due to the bad attitude of those around them. A further translation: they lose interest and drift off to do something else, either leaving the original project in the hands of their drones or cancelling it altogether.
7) "That brings us to the second week."
- Reflects how fast these things spring up around here and die almost immediately.
8) One of the other characters in the board room says: "I want my unwarranted optimism back."
- The cycle begins again.
Anyone wonder why I've turned my back on the larger Pagan community around here?
Tags: humour, incompetence, scapegoating
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