> And while they may not have wanted to work, the work was nonetheless something that both they and society felt was useful: something purposeful and appreciated.
I have begun fearing we live in a world that actively hides useful, meaningful work behind bureaucracies, licensure, advanced degrees, and other mechanisms. I believe this happens as a type of nepotism...a holding onto a nugget of meaningful work/knowledge until someone like you can grab hold of it and complete it to your liking.
Why are so many business deals hidden behind golf rounds and clinking glasses? Because business/work/utility is power. If I rely on you, you have power over me. So I better make sure I approve of the who and the how of that power.
It's fear that drives this. And my fear of the world it creates is stifling.
I'm not sure this is entirely related to your point, but I've recently been thinking that intelligence can be detrimental to promotion, in that intelligence produces questions and disagreements and non-conformity, which are all traits that make the job of Management more difficult.
Making life difficult for Management is unquestionably NOT a path towards promotion, and continues the rotating door of mediocre management. And mediocre management wants, desperately, to hold on to their position because they're aware, consciously or otherwise, of their mediocrity.
Having someone who can out-think you as a report is a threat to your position. Like you said: fear.
I have begun fearing we live in a world that actively hides useful, meaningful work behind bureaucracies, licensure, advanced degrees, and other mechanisms. I believe this happens as a type of nepotism...a holding onto a nugget of meaningful work/knowledge until someone like you can grab hold of it and complete it to your liking.
Why are so many business deals hidden behind golf rounds and clinking glasses? Because business/work/utility is power. If I rely on you, you have power over me. So I better make sure I approve of the who and the how of that power.
It's fear that drives this. And my fear of the world it creates is stifling.