Sunday October 1, 2017

Yesterday I read chapter 9 from Richard Farson's book titled Management of the Absurd.  The chapter "The More we Communicate the less we Communicate" attempts to convince the reader that communication is the problem not the solution for managers:  "...most organizations, in fact, are over communicating:  meetings, conferences, memos, phone calls and electronic mail overwhelm managers and employees alike."  Communication, according to Mr. Farson, is inefficient, boring and irrelevant.  In support of his assertions he cites two experiments and a research project.  The origins of the experiments in the chapter are unidentified and the research project is from the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute.  In one of the experiments apparently communication not only fails to provide useful information but actually serves to paralyze the organization.  In the second "Accurate information has become both tedious and stifling."  As far as the research project is concerned Mr. Farson concludes that accurate information may be less important to managers that other things.

Just as in previous chapters Mr. Farson jumps to conclusions in this chapter.  He is counting on the reader "taking his word for it" and glossing over the lack of support for his conclusions, the fallacies and the lack of an answer to the problems posed in chapter 9:  If communication is the problem, what is the solution?  Less communication?  How much is enough?  No answers to any of these questions.

Yes, Mr Farson there are metaphysical as well as man-made realities.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

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.

September 26, 2017

Last Sunday I read Chapter 5 and today I read Chapter 7 of Richard Farson's book "Management of the Absurd".

Both chapters had to do with technology and how it shapes us and backfires.  In both chapters Mr. Farson fails to define his terms.  For instance what exactly constitutes "technology"? 

September 24, 2017

I have been reading from a non-fiction work by Richard Farson called "Management of the Absurd".  I am going to read chapter 4 today.  So far the book is a fascinating look into American counter-culture and how counter culture proponents attempt to get into the American psyche.  Mr. Farson's efforts involve substituting story-telling and verbal picture-painting for definitions and references. Another sophisticated technique used by the author is the liberal use of fallacies such as "take my word for it", "post hoc, ergo propter hoc" and "true until proven false".  It's an entertaining read despite its flaws.

September 3, 2017

Yesterday I read Law 44 "Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect".  The author (Robert Greene) insists that mirroring your "opponents"  actions will bring you power by frustrating and angering them. Mr. Greene gives an example from grade school in which another child mimics your every word.  Yes this is infuriating and it usually results in the rebuke and ostracizing of the child doing the mimicry.  There is no true power in holding up a mirror to anyone.  Power is the authority to meet one's responsibilities.  Any power in excess is usurpation or tyranny.  This law doesn't teach one how to be responsible it teaches one to manipulate, bully and intimidate. 

August 24, 2017

From the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greeene:  Law 39 Stir up waters to catch fish.  The chapter concludes that in order for one to gain power one should manipulate others to loose their "cool" or otherwise throw a temper tantrum in order to undermine that person.  Also one is advised to keep one's "cool" and not be lured into displays of anger which may make one look ridiculous and weak.  The author insists that when someone gets angry at another's behavior one is counter-productive because life is determined.  That people lack free will and only act in reaction to forces or events beyond their control.  This is obviously and demonstrably false.  We know by the evidence of our senses that the individual does have free will and because we know this we also know that the individual has the responsibility to exercise their free will in a responsible manner.  Mr. Greene uses several anecdotes that illustrate not lack of free will but the use of poor judgment.  It is free will in conjunction with poor judgment that gets people in trouble and free will in conjunction with good judgement that "empowers" them.

August 13, 2017

I read last Thursday the 37th law of power about creating grand spectacles.  Like most if not all of the "laws" of power the key to this "law" is a vivid imagination.  Most of the "laws" in this book depend also on an environment that concentrates power in order for them to be valid.  Concentration of power was the rule decades and centuries ago but today thanks to improvements in communication power is diffuse.  Nobody rules.  Everyone represents.  The "48 Laws of Power" are entertaining and amusing but irrelevant in modern society.