In the grand marketplace of political ideas, democracy has long positioned itself as the ultimate bastion of freedom, justice, and progress. Yet, a closer examination of its mechanisms reveals a system built on the art of deception, where politicians entice the masses with tantalizing fantasies only to leave them with the bitter taste of disappointment….
Working with Authority
You know, the CIA and I, we have a lot in common. We’re both misunderstood, we both work in secret, and we’ve both made some questionable decisions. But while my questionable decisions usually involve attempting to deep-fry a Twinkie at 3 am, the CIA’s include “enhanced interrogation techniques.” Now, I don’t know about you, but…
Productivity Theater
Let me tell you about a little something called “Productivity Theater.” It’s performed in your office, and the leading actors are your coworkers. Now, I don’t want to give the impression that I’m against productivity. I’m all for it. I’m just not a fan of the theatrical part. Now, let me set the stage. Workers…
Democracy Fragility
Democracy is a porcelain doll so delicate and breakable that even a whisper of criticism sends it into a frenzy of self-defense and denial. You see, democracy is a system that can’t handle the truth. It would rather hide behind its facade than confront its flaws. Instead of addressing real issues, democracy doubles down to…
Transsexual Offices
For all its cubicles, water coolers, and awkward elevator rides, there’s one aspect of office life that’s often overlooked: its inherent embrace of the transsexual experience. Beneath those fluorescent lights and bland carpets lies a world where men and women alike can freely adopt the characteristics of the opposite gender. I’m not suggesting that every…
DEI Grievances
It seems that the corporate world has gone completely bonkers. You may have noticed a strange shift happening during your all hands meetings, and I’m here to tell you it’s not your imagination. Nowadays, it seems like every Q&A session is dominated by DEI grievances. Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become the holy trinity of…
Middle Management
My friend pointed out that despite all the credentials and ability, a big group of us were trapped under a glass ceiling in middle management and had no path or connections to anything better. Middle management is a lonely no-man’s land. Workers hate you for keeping them on task. They are infantile and just want…
Social Movements Rely on Censorship
Social movements sure are curious creatures. They weave tantalizing tales of revolution and progress, all while cleverly sweeping any pesky dissenters under the proverbial rug, yet evidence of their efficacy remains scarce — and rational criticism is about as welcome as a porcupine at a balloon party. A cornerstone of such movements is their quest…
Equity
A punk anarchist long ago taught me about equity. He hated anything successful or beautiful. Instinctually he wanted to destroy it so it was made equal to everything broken and ugly. When he saw something well made, he raged inside that something so good existed in contrast to his wretched life experiences, and he revenged…
Returning to the Office
We’ve come to a peculiar point in human history. It’s a time where efficiency and convenience have taken a back seat to a bewildering nostalgia for the good old days of commuting and cubicles. That’s right, I’m talking about the great office revival – a return to the hallowed halls of awkward small talk and…
A Scapegoat for the Troubled Soul
If you’ve ever found yourself musing on the nature of humanity, you’ve likely stumbled upon an inconvenient truth: we are a deeply flawed species. Our spiritual burdens weigh heavily upon us, our psychological missteps lead us astray, and our philosophical shortcomings keep us tethered to the mundane. But what if there were a way to…
Feminine Rule
The sun rose over the city, casting a golden light over the bustling streets below. The clack-clack of high heels on the pavement echoed through the air as women rushed to their offices, determined to take on the day like a bull charging into the ring. Women were the new demographic majority in the workplace,…