atw: Re: ALWAYS

This is like the catholic church and the burning of the witches

 

  _____  

From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Petersen
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 10:01 AM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: Re: ALWAYS

 

Reading this blog reminded me of the following story:

The Parable of the Monkeys

Start with a cage containing five monkeys.

In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long,
a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.

As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the monkeys with cold water.

After a while, another monkey will make an attempt with the same response -
all of the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Keep this up for several
days.

Turn off the cold water.

If, later, another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will
try to prevent it even though no water sprays them.

Now, remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one.

The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his horror,
all of the other monkeys attack him.
 After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the
stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new
one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer
takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.

Replace the third original monkey with a new one. The new one makes it to
the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four monkeys that beat him
have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they
are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing the fourth and fifth original monkeys, all the monkeys which
have been sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no
monkey ever again approaches the stairs.

Why not?

Because that's the way it's always been done around here!

slinka wrote:



I am on a campaign to save the word "always."

 

Right now it is being used with the following meaning in the following
context:

 

Question:  "When did that get changed?"

Answer:     "It's always been like that."   

(Meaning:  "since I have been working in this call centre."  (maybe 3 months
or so)

 

I actually believe we will lose the word if this is not stopped. 

 

It's being used by corporations to change terms and conditions

"They've always been like that."  (Meaning: for as long as WE decide is
relevant)  

so they can change the terms and conditions in the middle of a contract (as
they do)

 

I guess it's all part of the reality drift that's occurring with websites: 

ie: What's on the website today must be assumed to accurately represent
today's reality 

and therefore, according to corpologic, yesterdays website never existed.

 

I believe this wrong use of the word always is offensive.  

I inform the operator that they are behaving offensively and I report them
for offensive behaviour.

I hope more people join me before it's too late. 

 

When people get law and engineering degrees with the new 'always,'

 then human rights will be completely finished.

Already you get a late payment fee and the threat of imminent disconnection
if you don't pay the bill within 2 weeks of receiving it.

But then...............:     "It's always been like that."   ..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- 

David Petersen
Technical Documentation Specialist
Air Systems

Thales Australia
Thales Australia Centre
WTC Northbank Wharf
Concourse Level, Siddeley Street
Melbourne, VIC 3005
Australia
Tel: +61 3 8630 4593
david.petersen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx | www.thalesgroup.com.au

DISCLAIMER: This e-mail transmission and any documents, files and previous
e-mail messages attached to it are private and confidential. They may
contain proprietary or copyright material or information that is subject to
legal professional privilege. They are for the use of the intended recipient
only. Any unauthorised viewing, use, disclosure, copying, alteration,
storage or distribution of, or reliance on, this message is strictly
prohibited. No part may be reproduced, adapted or transmitted without the
written permission of the owner. If you have received this transmission in
error, or are not an authorised recipient, please immediately notify the
sender by return email, delete this message and all copies from your e-mail
system, and destroy any printed copies. Receipt by anyone other than the
intended recipient should not be deemed a waiver of any privilege or
protection. Thales Australia does not warrant or represent that this e-mail
or any documents, files and previous e-mail messages attached are error or
virus free.

Other related posts: