The Totally Random Thread

[garrett]

Just post something random if your bored.


Im at the library. ;D

[garrett]

Im playing my Wii

[garrett]

Superbowl tomorrow baby!

[albpilot]

Here's a random one...got it from ATS site:

As Robert Hare, inventor of the PCL-SV and PCL-R Checklists for Psychopathy put it:

"I always said that if I wasn't studying psychopaths in prison, I'd do so at the Stock Exchange.”



According to the authors, the corporate worlds (any organizations run like corporations), are increasingly a “target-rich” environments for psychopaths for four basic reasons:

1) Some core psychopathic personality traits (“talents”) may seem attractive in job applicants and get them hired; traits such as: assertiveness; ability to appear genuine when faking sincerity and honesty; ability to quickly assess vulnerabilities of people and manipulate them; shallow affect; take-charge narcissism; and expertise manipulating through schmoozing and networking; etc;

2) Superficial notions of effective management and “leadership” (focus on hierarchy; taking charge; exercise of top-down power and decision-making but with avoidance of accountability; etc) play right into the hands of psychopaths. Typical proclivities for megalomania, malignant narcissism, manipulation, intrigue and using/treating people as mere useful objects or instruments, may appear, to those themselves not real managers or leaders, or even to fellow psychopaths, as “decisive management”; and even “leadership”. Either like attracts like, or, those lacking substance, typically, are not willing to select for substance even if they could recognize it.

3) The changing nature and structures of businesses often favor psychopaths. As businesses become less hierarchical, more lean, more complex and more flat, and as businesses have to become increasingly flexible and agile, the devolution of power and accountability—or at least accountability—to what were “lower” levels of corporations, then, in such contexts, the “take-charge”, ruthless, demanding, manipulative and apparently “results-oriented” managers, often psychopaths, appear increasingly attractive to those at the top who want power and perks but not proportionate accountability on themselves. What appear to be “take-charge”, as well as “take-the-heat” types, sometimes psychopaths, appear to be perfect for those at the very top who want power and perks but not accountability. Of course, psychopaths typically do the same to those below them.

4) In the context of increasingly lean, complex and agile businesses and other institutions, the types of individuals who are willing to ignore “cumbersome” and “constraining” rules, laws, best practices in management, and, are ruthless and devoid of empathy, coupled with abilities to con and manipulate as well as “direct”, may be attractive in some fast-paced and ultra-competitive organizations. (1)



The first half of the book does a great job of highlighting in plain language how these "snakes in suits" rise to the levels of power they have, and how it's possible that we can have a corporate and political landscape heavily populated by people who don’t seem concerned about their actions impact on the lives of other people or the planet.

Ever wonder how [insert name here] could have led the prosecution of [insert name here] while having an affair with his own congressional aide and handing divorce papers to his wife as she was recovering from cancer surgery? Or why Enron executives played the game the way they did? The answer may well be quite simple. They actually don’t give a d**n about the consequences of their actions (except as they apply to themselves) ... perhaps they're psychopaths!

Now we just have to figure out how to take our corporations and political parties back from the psychopaths among us…



Links:
(3)Barnes/Noble Review
(2) MSNBC review
(1) KBOO review

[garrett]

;D

[Stephen]

If you want traffic on your thread, pretend like you hate America.

[garrett]

dats otay.

[Stephen]

But it works!

[garrett]

im sure it does.

[garrett]

but everyone knows that AMERICA RULES!!!!

[Stephen]

Mar 30, 2010 10:52:07 GMT -5 garrett said:

but everyone knows that AMERICA RULES!!!!

Literally.

[garrett]

I cant wait for next months gaming.
Anyone know what day?

[Stephen]

Red Baron Fight XX on May 1st!

However, Rick has suggested that if no one is going to the Spring Mini Con, that we play on Apr 17 as well. I am all for that.

[garrett]

We have to wait till May?
Or Im good with playing on Ap. 17.
Well see....

[Stephen]

Will Garrett TV once again be reporting from the scene on May 1st?