Duppies: Tales of the downwardly mobile

Hi,

The article (linked to below) includes a link to a big chart showing unemployment by state and city, for those who might want to do targetted mailings or whatever or who are looking to relocate.

[quote]

One of the most difficult adjustments? Learning to lose an intellectually challenging job for one that is, well, less than rigorous on the brain cells.

"I used to work with people who programmed artificial intelligence who are brilliant and fun and interesting. Then, all of a sudden, I'm working with someone who talks about the way someone's butt looks in a pair of pants," says Miranda.

[unquote]

Hope this was useful or interesting. And have a happy full moon Friday the 13th. :-)

Best,

- Boyd


'Duppies:' Will Consult for Food

Hi Boyd,

Thanks, interesting article and quote!

> [quote]

> One of the most difficult adjustments?
> Learning to lose an intellectually
> challenging job for one that is, well, less
> than rigorous on the brain cells.

> "I used to work with people who
> programmed artificial intelligence who are
> brilliant and fun and interesting. Then, all
> of a sudden, I'm working with someone who
> talks about the way someone's butt looks in
> a pair of pants," says Miranda.

> [unquote]

This makes me wonder - will people pay for intellectual stimulation? I have a feeling that some certainly will.... (Intellectual stimulation in the right way is pleasurable.)

I know about physicists and mathematicians who (in the extreme cases) may have gone from doing a Ph.D. to a completely unrelated job, and are probably missing some of the "intellectual atmosphere" they left behind at university. I'm sure there are others like that too - I think there is a "want" here to fill...

In the last few months, I've attended some classes which have been held about philosophy, run by a retired philosophy professor in his home. I wouldn't say his are very successful, but I think it's a matter of marketing - he's not a marketer (I've seen his brochures, and they are very dry and boring and ramble on, when they actually could be much more exciting, in my opinion). However, if marketed the right way, I'm sure something like this could be a success.

Thanks for the "stimulation" Boyd!

- Dien

dno
> Hi Boyd,

> Thanks, interesting article and quote!

> This makes me wonder - will people pay for
> intellectual stimulation? I have a feeling
> that some certainly will.... (Intellectual
> stimulation in the right way is
> pleasurable.)

> I know about physicists and mathematicians
> who (in the extreme cases) may have gone
> from doing a Ph.D. to a completely unrelated
> job, and are probably missing some of the
> "intellectual atmosphere" they
> left behind at university. I'm sure there
> are others like that too - I think there is
> a "want" here to fill...

> In the last few months, I've attended some
> classes which have been held about
> philosophy, run by a retired philosophy
> professor in his home. I wouldn't say his
> are very successful, but I think it's a
> matter of marketing - he's not a marketer
> (I've seen his brochures, and they are very
> dry and boring and ramble on, when they
> actually could be much more exciting, in my
> opinion). However, if marketed the right
> way, I'm sure something like this could be a
> success.

> Thanks for the "stimulation" Boyd!

> - Dien

. . . for downward mobility - forced, or adapted to.

Just after I quit teaching a bunch of years ago, I applied for (among other jobs) one that required me to clean and wash busses. (yeah, those big jobby-doos you pay a little bit to ride . . . )

They wouldn't give me the $%###@&*(@@!!! job. (You'd be bored . . . You're so much more capable . . .ad naseum.)

The fact was, I wanted the damned job so that a.) I'd be doing something mindless and physical for 8 hours, and b.) I could come home and create (whatever!) afterward, without being mentally wrung out.

If it covers the bills and leaves you free not to even consider it before the alarm goes off in the morning, it's a good job. I routinely answer questions from my (so-called) supervisors having to do with how I would handle 'thus and so' for maximum efficiency, or whatever. My answer is always that "I don't give the benefit of my thinking at the rate you're paying."

The hardest part of what I do is to remember that calling it "idiot work" may hurt somebody's feelings. Even so, I have no guilt about it. I'm here to do the mindless thing and get on with my life . . .

Marye
P.S. Gr-r-r-r-! I'm setting up my own email server, and "the devil don't want me to do dat cause he's makin' it harder than it is!"
(one of the things I save my thinking for . . .)

Hi Marye,

I'd like to be able to meet you in person some time.

You wrote:
> If it covers the bills and leaves you free
> not to even consider it before the alarm
> goes off in the morning, it's a good job. I
> routinely answer questions from my
> (so-called) supervisors having to do with
> how I would handle 'thus and so' for maximum
> efficiency, or whatever. My answer is always
> that "I don't give the benefit of my
> thinking at the rate you're paying."

Very wise words! Due to my formerly diffident and unassuming nature I've given supervisors and "business partners" (yeah, right!) the benefits of my talents and intelligence so many times it now makes me sick! Most of my supervisors have had half my I.Q., twice my weight and few of my skills. I wish I'd had the stones to say what you said!

Your friend,

- Boyd

I've got a couple of "credos" by which I live. The first is rather whimsical. The second is deadly serious.

First:

Answers - $1.00

Correct Answers - $2.00

Answers, with thought - $25.00

Dumb Looks (AKA, whatcha askin' me for? You

da big-time supervisor!) - FREE

Second:

Ask for what you want

Always speak the truth

Take responsibility for your experiences

Keep your agreements

Pay Attention!

I'd like to meet you to! Always good to meet new "kinfolks."

Marye

are a helluva lot better off having a solid connection between your mouth and your mind.

I once told my manager this: "God didn't see fit to give you a brain, and I ain't gon' let you use mine, no mo'."

Fortunately, I was right, and he didn't fire me. I would have . . .

Marye