Utne Reader

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

Answers

"To Work is Human, To Slack Divine" by Hal Niedzviecki, May-June 1998, pg. 37.

The article "To Work is Human, To Slack Divine" by Hal Niedzviecki asserts that "stupid jobs are one way to avoid the brain- numbing idiocy of full-time employment". Niedzviecki concludes by stating "what they have learned from their stupid jobs will stay with them forever."

Niedzviecki is correct in his belief that the skills learned at the "stupid" jobs will remain with the individual. Although this article is directed towards critiquing younger workers in part-time positions, it hit a nerve on one basic truth. Part-time jobs that are seemingly mindless have the potential to teach valuable basic skills. No matter where you work or what your educational level, the workplace is the workplace. The vast majority of jobs have basic components or certain truths that are realized. From CEO to dishwasher, certain demands are placed on all individuals within the workforce. I have categorized these truths in the following five statements: 1. All jobs will have people that annoy you. 2. All jobs will have policies and procedures that are unfair, unjust and stupid. 3. People will find a way to get fired  even through it may seem impossible. 4. The more you do, the more others will expect from you. 5. Always be prompt, prepared and on-time.

These truths transcend education and position title. No matter how "stupid" the job, individuals have the potential to take certain lessons from their work if they are willing. These lesson can range from a basic paycheck to an encompassing realization about the workforce in general.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

Reponse to Jodi's Article on people and "Stupid Jobs"

I am in agreement with Jody that even the most trivial of things can be of significance. Meaning there is alot to learn in whatever you do. However, those who want to move on up the corportate ladder must strive to better oneself. (Unless one wants to clean toilets the rest of their lives.)

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

11/16/98 - Responded to Utne Reader: Sue Mickelson and Barbara Olson.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1998

RESPONSES TO OTHER TEXT IN ADDITION TO THE UTNE READER ARE UNDER THE CATEGORY: PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL/ARTICLE RESPONSE

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

I also read this article and I agree that we do learn things from our "stupid jobs", but I also saw that there is a freedom for those who have these jobs. There isn't the stress of a career position and they have the freedom of "letting your mind go where it will". There have been times that I would love to trade my job for a "stupid job" where you come in, put in your time, and your done. (But then I come to my senses). But whose to say that people who clean toilets are less happy and fullfilled then those that make the big bucks at a high stress corporate job? Niedzviecki ends his article by comparing his life to his father's. "Despite his decades of labor and my years of being barely employed, we have both ended up at the same place. He feels cheated. I don't." Is it so bad to clean toilets?

-- Anonymous, November 29, 1998

January 1999 Utne Article

"Learning in the Key of Life" by Jon Spayde, May-June 1998, pg. 45-49.

The hype in education seems to be Technology! Technology! Technology! School districts appear to scream: "Web sites! Student Programs! New Systems! More Memory! Extra Printers! Additional Computers!"

Buzz words and catch phrases are also surfacing: ADVANCEMENT. ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS. COMPUTERS. NETWORKING. INTERNET FILTERING.

Whole sentences have been constructed to define the technogeeks from mere mortals (can we say acronym heaven?): "If the URL is correct why is the DNS entry not found?" "The TCP/IP is not working because the domain name is wrong." "The http language is unable to understand the GIF or JPEG file."

A bit overstated? Welllllllllll, maybe not?

The big push for technology advancement within our schools has caused a basic human component to be lost in the mish-mash of jargon. Throughout his article, Spayde quoted others on the technology revolution in education, ""It is an enormous error to believe that technology can somehow be the content of education."" "Far too much of our energy and resources is on fast knowledge ignoring all the richness and meaning slow knowledge adds to our lives".

Today, technology in education is a huge push to possess the equipment. Once the physical elements are there: computers are on the shelf, printers are connected and web sites are designed, the push is over. Follow through has been diminished. A district may gloat that they have the technology, but the problem is that very few people know how to use it and/or present it to their students.

In my humble opinion, technology cannot be the content of education because the proper training of staff and proper employment of technology people has not occurred. Utilizing and mainstreaming technology requires talent, skill and its own education. It also requires a commitment by schools to train their professionals to best incorporate it into their learning. Technology needs to be humanized so non-techie students can learn in a non-threatening environment.

Teachers are very smart individuals  they have the skills to learn technology, but need to have sufficient backing (i.e. training, resources, inservice time, etc.) to incorporate it. It is only a small hurtle to acquire the equipment  it is quite another to utilize it. Employing properly educated technology professionals (note the plural) will aid in teaching teachers the subtle enhancements of technology instead of threatening to take their whole curriculum over.

It has often been thought that technology will lead and push the teachers into a new era. In reality, it is only through proper training and support that teachers will ultimately lead technology to their students. Education will then proceed on a humanized level with technology-based enhancements.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 1998

I read and did the same article for this assignment. I didn't get the same take that you did. I agree with you that all jobs should be done correctly and that you can learn from any experience. But my feeling is that the author is somewhat of a party animal who doesn't want the responsibilities of a job to get in the way of his chemically enhanced free time.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 1998

I also read the article "To Work is Human, to Slack Divine". I agree with you that it is the person who makes the best of his/her job situations who finds satisfaction in life. I have had many stupid jobs that have brought me much satisfaction and enjoyment while I used my mind. At the same time I do not feel my real job denies me to be creative and free like Niedzviecki suggest. I believe that many people reach a point where they wake up and feel they have had a 't ask for more. I doubt that this is only because of the job they had.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 1999

March 1999 Utne Article "The Digital Amazon" by Leslie Gornstein, July-August 1998, pg. 22.

This informational article centers on Stephanie Brail, founder of a web-consulting firm called Digital Amazon. She established this company to promote and serve women as they drive for success in their personal and professional lives. Single-handedly she has created some of the most popular and visited sites on the Internet. Brail sounds like many success stories cultivated from the Internet. What separates her from others in this field? She is a highly successful woman in a male dominated technological field.

Besides focusing on Bill and Monica this year, there has been much talk about the increasing gender gap in technology. Many articles have reported that men are moving forward and forging new ground in their tech-based jobs, while women are simply moving away. That move is what makes Brail so valuable in our technological society. Her creation of women oriented sites ultimately serves a higher purpose by increasing the number of women utilizing the Internet. As we head into the new millennium, women have traveled a long road to have equal footing with men. However, the battle is still continuing in technology. With the help of Brail, the self-empowerment will take hold and hopefully begin.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 1999

Hello Jodi: My name is John Hansen, the new discussion facilitator. I am also a faculty member in the department of Communication at UMD. All of your comments are right on the money! Would you expand a bit on where you think technology needs to go so that all get equal opportunity.Another direction in what you have written focuses on the issue of work, should work be fun? I think we forget about some of the value that work and technology have. On the other hand is technology really as valuable as we look at it? I would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks, John

-- Anonymous, March 03, 1999

Utne Reader Response - Due May 1999 "Inside Skinhead" by Thomas Leyden, August 1998, pg. 38-40.

Inside Skinhead summarizes the experiences of Thomas (T.J.) Leyden, a self-confessed (but now reformed) racist who turned away from the skinhead movement. After reassessing his motives and morals, Leyden carefully examined what the skinhead movement supported, "I started looking at the hypocrisy. A white guy, even if he does crystal meth and sells crack to kids, if hes a Nazi hes OK. And yet this black gentleman here, whos got a Ph.D. and is helping our white kids, hes still a scummy nigger". Leyden also wondered who would be next in the line of discrimination  perhaps someone with red hair?

Leyden pushes the ultimate point when discussing racism or prejudice. The pure power of hate is so insidious, that once the hated area is destroyed, a new one must be found. In many ways, hate seems similar to a drug addiction. Once hooked on the power of hating, people move to the next perceived weakness and get a rush from the destruction.

Another interested area Leyden discussed was the steadfastness of recruitment. Like a spider weaving its web, skinhead recruiters systematically selected people who were angry. Their anger (about taxes, government, etc.) made them great candidates for the movement. The recruiters would place these angry people on campuses to create spaces of havoc with their hate and intolerance.

I once thought the skinhead movement was a group of uninformed people who chose to hate. I now realize it is a carefully led, carefully organized group who plots their acts of destruction.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 1999

Hello Jodi: Your closing comments on this article are very telling. I suspect that many people do not realize the strength and cohesiveness that run these groups. The power of charismatic leadership is just one aspect. The other thought I have deals with the followers who often have peculiar needs that they are unwilling or unable to share with anyone. Do you have further thoughts? Please share them with me via e-mail. Thanks, John Hansen

-- Anonymous, April 10, 1999