Productive time

I like what this human resources person said on his or her blog. I think that the wisdom of what she wrote is lost on so many, especially when they manage people who work in technical or creative fields.

I especially like the following comment:

"I'm also thinking that I had hoped that as an economy we were moving away from measuring performance by face time and hours worked and measuring the value of our employees by the results they produce."

More on "colored"

In the previously mentioned discussion on the use of the term "colored person," one person offered the following mindnumbingly stupid response:

"If mere humans can name the president, a fact that changes far more rapidly, then mere humans can follow what terms are preferred by a substantial portion of the US population--terms that haven't changed in years. The "you can't complain because it all changes all the tiiiiime" excuse is ridiculous.... "

This person was owned by the following reply:

" #44 Yesterday, 11:36 PM
JThunder
Charter Member Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 9,624

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsgoddess
If mere humans can name the president, a fact that changes far more rapidly, then mere humans can follow what terms are preferred by a substantial portion of the US population--terms that haven't changed in years.

You can't be serious.

"First of all, the name of the President is an objective fact, easily looked up. The same cannot be said about preferred terminology. Just ask the Trekkers and the Trekkies.

Second, this isn't merely a question about which term is 'preferred.' Even if a term is not 'preferred,' that doesn't automatically make it offensive, outdated, or otherwise inappropriate.

And third, this very thread demonstrates that there is disagreement about the degree of propriety in using the term 'colored.' Heck, as I've pointed out, the majority of the respondents in this thread apparently disagree with you. What does that say about the ease of following whichever terms are preferred?

Again, I've known people to take offense at the term black, preferring the term 'African American.' I've known people who expressed the opposite preference instead. Which one of these groups is more worthy of your criticism?"

The word "colored"

I've been following an Internet discussion aobout how Lindsey Lohan described Obama as "colored." Most of the respondents considered this to be a non-issue, and one guy said that he can't muster up any outrage, given how much the "correct" term for blacks has changed through the years -- black, colored person, African American, person of color, and so forth.

To this, one twit responded by saying,

"So many times, huh? Frankly, I find it difficult to believe that someone who can't keep up with this sort of thing could be conversant with the internet or function in society.

I was born in 1971. There have been two terms taught to me in my lifetime as polite, both of which are still extant and both of which I use: Black and African-American. Two terms. This isn't something that changes every five seconds."

This person did not get much support from the others. They pointed out that the term "colored" was used well into the seventies, and that it was never considered impolite. I think that the following responses were pretty darned good.

"And if my complaint had been that I couldn't keep up with the terms, then your criticism would have some merit. Thankfully, that's not what I said, and I think you know it. I'm fully aware that the term "colored" is outdated.

My point is that it's foolish to express outrage at the use of this term, given that American society can't seem to settle on a suitably non-offensive term. Heck, on more than one occasion, I've seen people take offense at the term "black," even though most people don't seem to have trouble with it. This is just one of those situations where it's best to let it go."

"Would you care to tell the NAACP that they "can't keep up with this sort of thing" or that it's hard to believe they "could be conversant with the internet or function in society"? I'm sure that they'd appreciate your candid feedback."

"It seems silly to argue that there's no possible problem trying to keep track of what terms for minorities are considered non-offensive in a thread in which people seem to be having trouble deciding if a particular term is in fact non-offensive."

Sometimes it stinks to be needed.

Today, I had to make a business trip to Hershey, PA, the magical land where chocolate grows on trees. I had planned on leaving at noon. Unfortunately, my co-workers kept needing me for this, that, and the other thing. Argh

I had really planned on getting to my hotel room in the early evening so that I could kick back a little bit, get some exercise, get some reading done, and be well rested for my trip to the customer. That just didn't happen, though. It stinks.

Messing up the shim sham

During our monthly first Friday swing dance, we regularly do this shim sham routine. It's a lot of fun, and I look forward to it each month.

Tonight though, it was messed up by this small group of young people who had no idea what they were doing. They stood right at the front of the room, even though they had no idea what they were doing. Instead of doing the dance properly, they were just flailing around.

Now, I don't mind that; after all, everyone has to start somewhere. However, if you don't know how to do a particular dance, you probably shouldn't be standing at the front of the class. Go to the back where you won't be bothering anyone. Or if it's clear that you can't follow, drop out and stay on the sidelines. That's just common sense.

They meant well, and they were trying to have fun. Still, they obviously didn't realize that by flailing around in front of everyone else, they were distracting the dancers behind them and causing them to mess up. It was a disaster.

Don't get me wrong. I know that this is a small thing in the grand scheme of events. Still, it's an unfortunate incident that could have been easily avoided if these people had shown a little bit more common sense.

That creepy swing dancing guy again

In an earlier post, I mentioned Perry, this weirdo guy who keeps attending our local swing dance events. Tonight, a friend of mine told him off. Good for him.

Perry asked my friend to dance. She said, "No, I'd rather not. I think you were very inappropriate with a friend of mine. You don't take a woman that you've met for the very first time and start lifting her into the air...." and so forth, and so on. I didn't see everything that Perry was doing with the woman in question, but I did know that he just doesn't grasp the concept of swing dance propriety.

You go, girl. Hopefully, this guy will tone things down. Now, if we could just get him to stop pressing his face so close to his partner with this look of orgasmic ecstacy on it.

And heck, it wouldn't break my heart if he were to stop attending altogether.

Palin acquittal

So an investigative panel acquitted Sarah Palin of wrongdoing in the TrooperGate scandal. One scoffer replied by saying,

"Palin appoints the members of the Personnel Board. I would assume the Alaska state legislature is elected. Both hired (different) independent investigators.

I'm sure everyone will forgive me if I'm not very surprised that the board Palin herself appoints has cleared her of any wrongdoing."

However, a saner head replied by saying,

"The personnel board is indeed appointed by the governor. That said most were appointed by her predescessor, only one reappointed by her, and Alaska law allegedly protects them from dismissal without cause."