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Dec 27, 2008
The Tough Reality of the Job Marketplace Today
"Love the Work, Hate the Job" is a book that basically discusses how the relationship between employers and employees has dramatically changed over the years. It all began in the early days with a master-slave approach, then turned into making the work environment as pleasant as possible with the implementation of "human management", and finally due to global competition and other related evil, stepped backwards by companies starting to treat employees as disposable resources, or "costs to be cut instead of assets to be invested in", as the book mentions.
It is claimed that companies are today more focused on costs reductions instead of making quality products, putting their trust built over years into serious risk. Innovative and creative projects that is often brought by the most competent professionals inside the companies are often blocked by "bean counters" who have no vision of the technology evolution and think that expensive investments are just useless for the short run, completely ignoring the benefits for the long run. If one informed reader thinks about what is said in this book, he/she will certainly have to agree with it. Just look around and see that even though we live in a high-tech environment with possibilities that no one has ever predicted before, it is often easy to buy brand new - but defective - products supported by an awful customer service. One might even say - and not without reason - that there's nothing like the old products. They might not be as fancy as today's ones, but used to work like a Swiss watch.
Terrible and disastrous modern management practices based on maximizing profitability at all costs (including disrespectful treatment to the scientific and professional workers rights and benefits as employees) caused even the elitist white collar professionals to unionize in certain industries, like high-tech. The middle of this book puts a great emphasis on the everlasting tense relationship between WashTech and Microsoft. Revelations under this theme that can be found on the book is just astonishingly unbelievable, and sadly represents the reality of a great deal of workers today.
Incompetent managers and corporate greed is making skilled professionals to have a great sense of dissatisfaction in their functions, and the feeling of being exploited and ripped off is constant. They love their work, their knowledge, the challenges, the solutions they can provide, but stays trapped into a world that dictates them what to do with no right to argue. When pathetic corporate policies fail, it's just easy to blame it on globalization. What could be an opportunity for growth and innovation, is used as an excuse for their bad moves and desperately unreasonable tactics. Some youngsters feel unmotivated to pursue tech jobs because they know their function could easily be outsourced somewhere else. Technology, as most people are aware of, is one of the key drivers to the prosperity of a country, and all of this know-how is just being given away.
I have the feeling that almost everybody who decides to pick this book to read will relate to it at some point or another, if not in all. That's a good reading experience. It tells that I am not alone on this situation, neither are you.
Oct 30, 2007
CSI: Miami - One of the Greatest TV Shows on Air Today
Those who, like me, had the chance to watch at least most of the episodes of this fifth season aired on TV (or occasionally on the web), will probably agree that this season was superb. Like any other shows from the CSI series, the Miami one doesn't really feel like a typical TV Show, but more like a new movie every week or two - but with the same cast.
What hooks me in CSI: Miami is definitely its tropicalesque setting that sets it apart from other CSIs shows, its inventive, smart and curious cases and the graphic production, which is very attractive and well-done.
I also think that Horatio Caine (David Caruso) is the protagonist who gives the show a very distinctive appeal, playing the "super-hero-macho-man" role and, sometimes, overshadowing the other characters. This is another characteristic that makes CSI: Miami unique in comparison to other CSIs shows that don't really have so much focus on just one character. This seems to be so true that the DVD box set cover of this fifth season has only Horatio's close-up and downtown Miami buildings in the background. Can anybody see the rest of the cast? If this is fair, well, that's not up to me.
There's just one thing for sure - CSI: Miami is one of the greatest TV Shows on air today.
Aug 05, 2007
A fun movie for a serious subject
1 of 1 found this helpful Anger Management is a funny movie about a subject that might be a serious issue for some of us. Who never felt the blood coming to the head when something goes wrong or somebody gets us disappointed? Of course I didn't expect a serious approach when a movie is starred by Adam Sandler, and judging by the DVD cover, I could only expect to have some good laughs. Honestly, I laughed a lot.
It jokes with situations that might be familiar to some of us and in the end teaches us that nothing is so bad that can't be overcomed. If a good movie is one on which we recognize ourselves watching it, even in the most ridiculous and lame situations, then for me this is a stupendous one! Go get yours!