Today I read two chapters from Richard Farson's book "Management of the Absurd". Chapter 6 and Chapter 8 (I read chapter 7 last Tuesday).
Chapter 6 Most Problems that People have are not Problems. Again in this chapter as in the previous ones. Mr. Farson fails to define his terms or provide any references. He does make a passing reference to a "philosopher" named Abraham Kaplan and then goes on to demand that everyone reading his book simply take-his-word-for-it. He wants everyone to assume he is right and that his conclusions are valid while he claims that: 1. Most problems are predicaments. 2. Predicaments can't be solved only coped with. 3. Coping requires interpretive rather than analytical thinking.
Chapter 8 We Think that we Invent Technology, but Technology also Invents us. This chapter is not only devoid of foundation but also smuggles determinism. Determinism is the falsehood that states that humans have no free will and that human behavior is determined by forces beyond human control. Once determinism has been smuggled in the rest is easy. Technology forces us to...1. Live in suburbs. 2. Fence our yards. 3. Abuse our children. 4. Reorganize our organizations. This chapter also boldly declares that technology is autonomous, that it has a life of its own, that it "rides mankind" and that it rolls over us like an unstoppable juggernaut.
The ultimate aim of this book is leadership. If you want to learn to be a good leader, a good change-agent then read Richard Farson's book to do as he does not do as he says.
No comments:
Post a Comment