The Young Turks

Sorry, not getting what book you're talking about.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 02/21/2008 05:50:23 PM EST

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Kathleen Kelly failed to see beyond her prejudices.  In her very first complaint in the interview, in which she describes a very real change in workplace relationships, she misplaces the "blame" for that change.

Over the last several decades we've seen a take-over of parent-teacher associations, school boards, and related groups by corporate sponsors ("The Politics of the PTA"; Charlene K. Haar; Transaction Publishers: 2002; pp 12-14), Christians and other "conservatives".& nbsp; These bodies determine the quality and substance of education that children receive.  They have steered educational techniques in a counter-productive direction.  For instance, Johnny must not be told that he's wrong when he says that 2+2=5, he must be told that he did very well and asked if he can think of a better answer.  Even if he can't, he comes away feeling rewarded for getting it wrong.

In addition, disciplinary procedures in many schools -- including in the most dangerous school districts -- have become ineffective because of the extended and burdensome processes imposed by regulatory authorities.  In many districts, the student who tells his teacher to "fuck off" can't be sent home immediately.  There has to be a hearing first, usually several days later.  This is the reverse of the older procedure when such discipline problems were rare in our schools.

It is due to this influence that many newcomers to the workforce expect praise for trivial "accomplishments" and will sink into deep depression at the slightest criticism.  Corporations have recognized this change in the nature of their workforce and have responded to it by requiring managers to do things such as about what Ms. Kelly complained: having to leave positive, supportive messages about trivialities for employees in order to keep them motivated.

We older citizens naturally think these practices are ridiculous, but we also can recognize their necessity.  The coddled youth of today -- far from being the result of a liberal educational policies -- expect such treatment and will rebel if they don't get it.

After all, their parents -- who voted "conservative" -- wanted to be their friends rather than their parents.

Since our society has not been guided by liberal principles more than a generation, laying the blame for this result at the feet of liberals is completely unjustified.

Kathleen Kelly got it wrong: it's not a problem of liberalism in the workplace or even of liberalism at all.  The problem is in our educational system that has been weakened by decades of attack by "conservatives".

by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 11:41:32 PM EST

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at the beginning she said one thing i totally agree with:

"I respect your right to that opinion"

finally somebody who says it, in a Democracy it's not important to respect somebody's opinion, but you have to respect their right to that opinion.

Especially people of faith keep using the respect my religion, if I respected it, I would probably believe, no I shit on your religion, I have no respect for it whatsoever, BUT I respect your right to hold those believes and that in the end is all that matters in a sociaty of laws

by callisto on 02/22/2008 09:45:03 AM EST

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My first reaction?  She describes some pretty horrific HR problems, but when the HELL did they become "liberal" issues?  I call bullshit.  Jaurez above points out some very valid reasons why this is a "conservative" problem, as well.  Let's call it a societal problem without adding in the divisive lib/con finger-pointing, shall we?

I'm with Cenk: she clearly cherry-picked some of the most ridiculous excesses she could come up with during her research.  Five voice mails per employee per day?  First, I want to call bullshit on that, but I'll accept she might not be lying even though she played coy with specifics.  I'd frankly be looking for another job, and if she has the professional credentials she cites she should have had no problem doing so.  

She sounds like the kind of "driven" personality who was impatient with all manner of team-building exercises, frankly.  Of course she's going to go nuts when working some place that places more emphasis on them than others.  She is also massively naive about supervisory integrity.  The world of work is rife with scummy supervisors who want to screw you over in any way they can get away with.  How could she not have known that so thoroughly that she conceded it up front rather than needing Cenk to call her on it?

Heaven forbid she ever have any serious family or personal issues that require people to make concessions for her sake.  Marginally crazy people deserve jobs, too.  Thank goodness for workplaces where the HR structure is willing to go to extra effort to help them out.  People like this author would have you thrown out the front door if you couldn't conform to a rigid perspective--hers, of course.  I'd like to know what "specialized field" she works in, so I can make sure to steer clear of any chance of interacting with her!

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 02/22/2008 11:04:18 AM EST

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