Corporate Borg
It’s that time again… this time I’m not talking about the brackets (not the NCAA ones anyway). No, I’m referring, of course, to the K.C. Corporate Challenge. For those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about, it’s like the Olympics for various companies/corporations in the KC metro area. People compete in varied age brackets in contests ranging from darts/pool to cross country running and the triathlon. It’s a yearly event that spans from early May to the end of June.
One might think from the title of this entry that I’m downing the Corporate Challenge (henceforth referred to as CC). On the contrary, I have nothing against the CC. I think it is a welcome opportunity for those weekend warrior-types to compete against their fellow Kansas Citians. It is not, as you might expect, for everyone. The only thing I have against the CC is the Borg-like mentality that overcomes people when recruiting employees. Seriously, it’s strongarm tactics the likes of which only organizations like the United Way could outdo.
Resistance Is Futile…
I think they should have ball JUGGLING in the Corporate Challenge…black, white, or otherwise, I’ll juggle them all!
you wanted heave the white ball around? racist!
It kind of irritates me that they eliminated the softball throw from the Corporate Challenge.
Damn! Toby got served!
You called Pete a bigot in three seperate postings on this one thread. Sample size seems fine to say you’ve thrown that term around alot.
What you call objective facts seem to be based upon your own theories and belief structure. Your examples that “homosexuality is a sin”, “women are lousy drivers” and “evoluation is a theory” cannot be proven or disproven with facts (ok, maybe the women drivers one I shouldn’t hang my hat on . . .) The others are an “objective fact” to you because your own belief system supports them as facts. However, other people would consider the opposite an “objective fact” because of their belief system.
For example, there is no way to scientifically prove what is a sin and what isn’t. There is only one’s religious beliefs (or lack thereof). The theory of evolution is also countered by the ones belief system.
So, again, you are saying that the ideas that you hold as fact, based upon your belief system, are the only ones worthy of discussion. If someone does not agree with your belief system, their opinion is not valid.
I’m not upset, just baffled.
Those two quotes aren’t related. The second, in context, should connote “Don’t like [the fact that there exist objective facts in the world that contradict a whole lot of ridiculous notions]? Tough shit[; there are].” That’s not my position. It’s not my belief. It’s just the way things are.
And I hardly think the content of this thread indicates throwing the term “bigot” around “quite a bit.” Your sample size is way too small.
QUOTE: “(the cognitive process that does my pattern-matching, by the way, immediately dismisses any statement that includes the sentiment “I don’t care what you say, I’m not changing my mind” as especially worthless).”
and then
“Don’t like it? Tough shit.” END QUOTE
So, did your cognitive process immediately dismiss your own statement?
For someone who throws the “bigot” term around quite a bit, you seem to be highly upset that term was thrown at you?
It’s like the matrix, but without the bullet-time effects.
What? Existe…. you mean like ET?
I see. Valid comment, but the way I see it is that uninformed opinions that are not supported by critical thinking are often informed by dogmatic attachments to personal bias (“I think women are lousy drivers”), irrelevant authority (“My preacher says homosexuality is a sin”), or outright willful ignorance (“Evolution is just a theory!”).
So no, I don’t consider uninformed opinions as valid when the capacity for bigotry is built into the opinion. You can turn it back to me, as you’ve done, say something original and witty about pots and kettles, but ultimately, I’m not a bigot just because I dismiss bigoted opinions or statements. Many issues are complex enough without confusing things with rhetoric and glib obstinance. It’s often simpler and easier to wave away those opinions and viewpoints that I pattern-match as worthless (the cognitive process that does my pattern-matching, by the way, immediately dismisses any statement that includes the sentiment “I don’t care what you say, I’m not changing my mind” as especially worthless). If you’re one of the people whose opinion I tend to dismiss, you should either accept it, change my mind, or get over it, but don’t think I’m a bigot. I’m just being selective. I’m not particularly interested in communicating with idiots, nor do I set out to offend or insult people. But life’s short and I tend to recognize most brick walls when I see them. So I walk around them and keep going.
It’s important to note that I do not reject beliefs based solely on my own beliefs. I reject beliefs and opinions based on objective criteria whenever possible. There may be debate among existentialists about this point, but there are objective facts about the world and the people in it, and when someone’s view is based on the rejection of those objective facts, then those views are not informed and are not worth my esteem. Or yours, for that matter, or Pete’s, or anyone else with a functioning cerebellum. Don’t like it? Tough shit.
What’s wrong with your hair? I think it looks great.
Why do people keep making fun of me and my gigolo 3rd cousin?
Not sure what type of family picnic’s your family has, but I don’t find Pete gay at all.
Pete is gayer than a family picnic.
Randman is correct.
QUOTE: You are not entitled to your own opinion. You’re entitled to your own informed opinion, which necessarily involves critical thinking. Otherwise, you’re just obstinate and bigoted. END QUOTE
To dismiss someone else’s views, or deny them the right to have those views, based soley on your belief that those views are not informed, sufficently thought out, or more likely, because you do not agree with them seems to fall under the definition.
Wrong conclusion, dingbat. I meant the conclusion that I “fall within it’s definition!”
Captain Obvious says: The conclusion was reached because Toby was the only one using the term! You’re welcome!
I wasn’t interested in jumping to the obvious conclusion, but since it’s it been “aired,” I gotta wonder why one would reach said conclusion. Perhaps a citation would be helpful.
Seems he’s talking about you.
Yeah? Whom?
big·ot
Pronunciation: ‘bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices
Seems according to Merriam Webster, there are some people using this term who might themselves fall within it’s definition!
Here’s your clarification:
I have nothing against people wanting to compete in the CC. I have participated in the past and will do so this year.
I don’t care for the methods used to sign people up. People get brow-beaten or intimidated or just won’t be left alone until they sign up. The fact that we have people here who complain that they don’t want to do CC, but are being made to is the problem. True, no one is forcing them at gunpoint to participate and perhaps you might think they are weak for not sticking with their “no” decision. However, if they feel like they won’t be left alone until they sign up, then there’s a problem.
Time and desire are the two main elements I was considering when I made the “it’s not for everyone” statement. Today at lunch, Toby stated that he didn’t have the desire or time to do any CC events. Therefore, CC isn’t for Toby. I suppose a better way of illustrating my point would have been to say that if you want to participate in CC, realize that it may require a significant time committment.
Obstinate? Fine. Bigoted? No way.
Which one is it, dude?
Who are you talking about? Sad truth is that not everyone’s opinion is valid, especially when someone says (essentially), “I don’t care what evidence you present to the contrary, I’m not changing my position.” That guy’s opinion? Full of shit. You are not entitled to your own opinion. You’re entitled to your own informed opinion, which necessarily involves critical thinking. Otherwise, you’re just obstinate and bigoted.
I know who you were talking to.
Uh…I was calling you a bigot, not heimer.
Let’s get something straight since apparently several of you don’t understand the “assimilated” reference. I already signed up to participate in CC. Perhaps in your haste to ridicule this post you overlooked this portion:
Heimer – If you were to open up your ears, you might hear several of your co-workers say, “I don’t want to do Corporate Challenge, they’re making me”. This tells me it’s not for everyone. Your method of attacks has firmly cemented your thug status. The NBA called to tell you that you were drafted by the Clippers.
Toby – Heimer is entitled to his opinion. I don’t fault him (or anyone else who agrees with him) for it. I would hope he feels the same. Perhaps Mr. My Opinion Is Right All Others Are Shit should reacquaint himself with the kettle.
Mr. Mom – Check your reading skills before opening your mouth.
My engineering firm is a bunch of beer drinkers.
So what’s your point josh? That your engineering firm had a bunch of whiners like pete?
I am one of only nine employees at my current company, so we don’t have to worry about participating at the moment. However, at my old company, we had a guy who was trying to impress the CEO by organizing personnel for all the events. It turned into a full-time job. He managed to obtain a list of every person’s age in the company and began pressuring everyone in every age group to participate. The first problem is that it was an engineering firm–in other words, only 20% of the employees were women; only 20% of THEM had any athletic prowess at all. Also, out of 240 employees only about 5 were over the age of 45. The result? The 4 female athletes and 2 willing older guys ended up doing like 20 events a piece. They ended up resenting the whole thing because they blew several weekends doing dumb shit for the “good of the company”, while everyone else in the company went bowling, walked around the Speedway, and called it good.
Whining like a bitch? Hahahahaha. Fuck yeah, that dude would take first prize.
“no matter what you say, I will never believe that it is for everyone.”
Spoken like a true bigot.
It isn’t for everybody? Do you even know any of the events? Bowling, pool, darts, horseshoes, WALKING????? Yeah, those events are waaaaay too strenuous for the non weekend warrior type. The CC has events that EVERYONE can participate in jackass, even intimidated old biotches like yourself.
No shit Pete, considering they offer all the sports your good at; pool, darts, whining like a bitch. You should be a gold medalist. So I guess they should get rid of the CC so nobody will try to strongarm you into doing something you don’t want to do? Now if they just had a Cold Fusion competition you would be singing its praises.
With a sales pitch like that, how can I resist? There are much better ways to foster camaraderie within your company and no matter what you say, I will never believe that it is for everyone.
Spoken like a true Borg…
Who said I wasn’t participating? I’ve already been assimilated jackass.
The Corporate Challenge is about fostering camraderie within the company and it IS for everyone, even negative, no confidence 40 yr olds with tennis ball hair. The CC is about team work and participation, NOT an elevated level of competition. So dust off your sneakers old man and participate instead of sitting in the corner pouting like a bitch.