The Toxic Workplace: Why?

 "Did you ever notice how some people, when confronted with a problem, will coagulate like white corpuscles to defend the body against the medication intended to heal the illness?" Slim Fairview

The Quotations of Slim Fairview © 2020 Robert Asken The toxic workplace exists for many reasons: 1. Management truly does have a vested interest in protecting the company's Public Image. 2. The Consumer doesn't care. 3. The toxic individual is extremely good at his job & or works for less than others will, & management will put up with that. 4. It is very difficult to criticise those who tells you to your face what a great person & valuable employee you are in front of everyone 5. Toxic people are good liars 6. Toxic people have allies among those who are afraid of the toxic person. Especially if they are only marginal performers 7. Toxic people have allies among their bosses who are also toxic & want to protect their own hegemony from retribution 8. Toxic people using Machiavellian principles bring in people who are loyal to them 9. Toxic people are publicly ingratiating & will put on grand displays to curry favour with many who are not in their department. Quotations of Slim Fairview © 2020 Robert Asken Regards, Slim.

Robert Asken

Box 33

Pen Argyl, PA

18072

Copyright © 2020 Robert Asken

All rights reserved.

Believing in Our Expectations

When you see what you expect to see, you can be easily mislead by your own expectations. 

A simple card trick I saw as a youngster proves it.

The Children's Show host, Claude Kirchner, performed a card trick. Then explained it.

Here is the explanation:

Mr. Kirchner started with a large playing card; but instead of hearts or diamonds, he had spots.

On one side, there were 2 of the 3 spots you would have on a three. On the other side, there were 5 of the 6 spots you would see on a six. One of the spots on the side was missing.

He held up the card, fingers over the top spot of the "3" card  and said, One. 

Then, turned the card over, fingers over the spot on the side of the "6" card and said, four. 

Turned the card over, fingers over the blank space and said three. Turned the card over, fingers over the blank space and said six.

One, four, three, six.

With each turn of the card, Mr. Kirchner relied on our expectation.

We believed he was telling us what was in reality only what  we expected to see.

We see this in many aspects of life.

In Medieval Times, people believed that a Solar Eclipse was in reality a dragon eating the Sun.  They would run to the town square to beat on pots and pans and drums to frighten the dragon away.  When the Solar Eclipse ended, they believed that they chased the dragon away.  However, they also validated their theory that as Solar Eclipse was really a dragon eating the Sun.  For those who watch The Big Bang Theory will know this as Post hoc ergo propter hoc.  A fallacy in logic.

Caveat. Beware!

Sincerest regards,

Slim.

Copyright © 2020 Robert Asken 

All rights reserved.

Robert Asken

Box 33

Pen Argyl, PA 18072

Data? Think about this

Data! Think about this.

It's Saturday.

You and your wife are having her two sisters over for lunch.
You try to decide whether to eat inside or outside on the picnic table.

Your wife says, let's wait til they get here as ask them how they feel.

Jane arrives. You ask her about eating outside or inside.

She replies, "It's such a beautiful day I had to go back to put on shorts and a short sleeve blouse. Let's eat outside."

A few minutes later Sue arrives. You tell her about the plans to eat outside.

She replies, "It's too cold to eat outside. I had to go back to put on slacks and a sweater."

You check the thermometer, The Data reads 72 Degrees (f)

To Jane, it's warm.
To Sue, it's too cold.
The Data says 72.

Data has its limits. That is where thinking begins.

Regards,

Slim.

"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labour of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Copyright © 2020 Robert Asken

All rights reserved.

Robert Asken

Box 33 

Pen Argyl PA

18072

 

Global Transformation

Armed only with an analytical mind and the ability to speak in metaphors,  I've relied on my education and experience to write about global political and economic events. To focus on Emerging Economies, and to formulate a realistic approach to problem solving.


My main concentration has been closing the wealth and the income gaps in emerging nations and shedding light on China's influence on the global economy,

My blog has been an unfunded, unsupported, non-profit web log.

In addition I posted several PowerPoint presentations on various topics:  Emerging Nations, The Environment, and Globalization.

Now I am attempting into expanding into more effective efforts: videos and podcasting.


I would like to upgrade my technology
Create a more effective presentation
and cover expenses  that have been neglected.

Relying on the Bauhaus philosophy, form follows function, I created a minimal budget.



I set up a GoFundMe account but it is not functioning at the moment.  But only for the second time in the past 2 months.

Here is my GoFundMe Link:  GoFundMe

Alternative
Robert Asken
Box 33
Pen Argyl, PA 18072

Thank you.

More:

I often hear about 30 under 30.  I am looking to empower 60 over 60.  Those with the experience and education to go beyond raising awareness to the level of focusing on substantive gains.

,
Thank you for any support you my give to my efforts.


Sincerely,


Bob.

Robert Asken
Box 33 
Pen Argyl, PA 18072