28 Jan
2012
28 Jan
'12
12:01 a.m.
On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 07:57:36PM -0500, Dave McGuire wrote:
On 01/26/2012 07:44 PM, Mouse wrote:
Sure...now. My "a while" is probably on the order of a century, maybe
two.
Oh man.
I want to start a big commune of smart people out in the middle of
nowhere.
Ah, but there is a trap. How do you "measure" smarts? Smart enough to
get a PhD in hard science (maths, physics, ...)? Smart enough to realize
what needs to be done and just do it, no matter what? Smart enough to be
beyond "this scut work is below me" bullshit? Smart enough to cooperate,
even if he/she/it doesn't like all the other people in the group?
I've seen my share of people who were, unarguably, very smart in their
speciality, but had plenty of ... other problems.
Just make sure (beforehand) that your smart people are actually smart
enough to:
- unclog a blocked toilet
- mop the floors
- properly dispose off the rubbish
- can replace a broken lamp without holding a conference about it
- re-order toilet paper, paper towels and soap
- etc ...
Just because the janitor is normally invisible doesn't mean he isn't
important. ;-)
Sorry, but you pressed a rant button with me here. "I know, the problem
are stupid people. I'll setup a colony/commune/habitat and let only
smart people in. Then there won't be any problems" - and then the place
collapses after the last toilet is clogged because you _clearly_ can't
expect a PhD to do such lowly work.
Kind regards,
Alex.
--
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and
looks like work." -- Thomas A. Edison
I think the wheel is turning. The USA has had its turn
on top and
is now on its way down. In a while it'll be all "bu-but what
happened? we used to be number one!". Then they'll bottom out and
start the long slow climb back up again.
That realization will never happen, though.
Most people here are
quite content with being sedated by TV, sports, beer, and the
escapades of Linsay Lohan. "I don't want to think" is the mantra
here.