tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post5804728367635478904..comments2024-03-25T15:17:04.488-07:00Comments on Captain Capitalism: The 2nd Most Arrogant Assumption You MUST MakeCaptain Capitalismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620212946121617985noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-13659901705053234222012-06-13T06:16:35.500-07:002012-06-13T06:16:35.500-07:00Great post, Cap!Great post, Cap!Victor Pridehttp://boldanddetermined.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-87405150356562164032012-06-10T09:31:03.200-07:002012-06-10T09:31:03.200-07:00It's not just American Women and American Comp...It's not just American Women and American Companies - great essay!Opusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-52586567132922845912012-06-09T07:34:50.467-07:002012-06-09T07:34:50.467-07:00In the physical security "industry" this...In the physical security "industry" this has been the rule for ages. Never be a problem for your bosses...STFU, MYOB and GTM (Guard the Mouth and Get the Money)<br /><br />Excellent post!<br /><br />This led me to create a blog a few years ago.<br />http://thesmilingguard.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-keep-your-guard-job-and-not-get.htmlThe Smiling Guardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08369783081007026048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-74419761628652396592012-06-09T02:04:31.847-07:002012-06-09T02:04:31.847-07:00This is why I've worked for myself for the pas...This is why I've worked for myself for the past 12 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-91948434875378365692012-06-08T21:53:35.981-07:002012-06-08T21:53:35.981-07:00HR is great. A friend gave his boss my resume. Bos...HR is great. A friend gave his boss my resume. Boss was impressed (as he should be - not many undergrads have published papers) and said I should apply for 3-4 positions. The very next day, I got the HR 'screw you' letters for all positions. The boss never even got a chance to consider me.<br /> <br />BTW Cap, TIME agrees with you:<br />http://business.time.com/2012/06/04/the-skills-gap-myth-why-companies-cant-find-good-people/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-35292074533958261012012-06-08T21:45:31.572-07:002012-06-08T21:45:31.572-07:00Imagine, interrupting the HR rep and telling them ...Imagine, interrupting the HR rep and telling them "You misunderstand. Explain why I would want to work for your company."<br /><br />The unsaid message is "I don't need you, you need me."<br /><br />Now that "Alpha arrogance".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-68871247789499482492012-06-08T17:51:23.833-07:002012-06-08T17:51:23.833-07:00I don't understand why you would seek employme...I don't understand why you would seek employment at a firm with a HR department anyway.<br />There's hot dog carts for sale on EBay right now for 2500 bucks.dr killnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-36114309472009433132012-06-08T12:57:09.221-07:002012-06-08T12:57:09.221-07:00Even if you do everything right, you play by the b...Even if you do everything right, you play by the books, get in your suit, have an answer to every question, and are qualified for the job, there's still a good chance the HR rep doesn't like you and you won't get the job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-6837437613994303772012-06-08T12:37:44.890-07:002012-06-08T12:37:44.890-07:00This is pretty much the best post I've ever re...This is pretty much the best post I've ever read here.<br /><br />I can fully relate as I have been "laid off" from almost every job that I didn't quit. It was never because I was an inefficient or bad employee. It was always one of two factors:<br /><br />The management was entrenched, lazy, and incompetent, and feared anyone with a true work ethic and innovative attitude. These people must be eliminated because eventually they will expose the managers as the incompetent, lazy, fraudulent, self-preservers they are. <br /><br />The second reason is closely related: due to the incompetence, greed, and inefficiency of the management, the hard-working entry level people always had to be laid off due to declining productivity and profits.<br /><br />The takeway lesson is this: never outshine the master, even if doing so would benefit the organization as a whole. These pathetic worms would rather throw you under the bus than have to earn their oversized salaries for even just one day.<br /><br />Nothing but the life of the entrepreneur left for me. I have no choice: I'm allergic to bullshit, bad ideas, and the whole concept that "teamwork" is the highest ideal, above even efficiency, profit, innovation, etc. <br /><br />They are screening for "team players" (brown-nosing sheep), not innovative and ethical contributors. Well all of the best things this world has ever produced have come from solitary visionaries, that then had their ideas implemented by various teams. It is not the teamwork that creates profit, it is the maverick visionary that does, and there is no place for that man in corporate america.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-940867378970547612012-06-08T11:44:16.942-07:002012-06-08T11:44:16.942-07:00I enjoy your blog Cap... but you sure do whine a l...I enjoy your blog Cap... but you sure do whine a lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-69542798279264100662012-06-08T10:54:30.151-07:002012-06-08T10:54:30.151-07:00Cappy:
I like the analogy in theory, but the prob...Cappy:<br /><br />I like the analogy in theory, but the problem with your premise is this:<br />When you try and fail repeatedly in a situation where the rules are known, then yes, the problem is with you. (Example, I cannot, for the life of me, play a musical instrument, despite numerous attempts.)<br /><br />On the other hand, in normal human interaction, there is no universally agreed upon rule book. If you repeatedly fail in your quest for a date or job, the problem is not you, it is your ignorance of the rules under which you are expected to play the game.<br /><br />No, I am not saying that you should "play by someone else's rules." That also is a violation of the rules.<br /><br />When successful dates/interviews happen, it is not because of planning, brilliance, tolerance, or any other factor. It is because you went into the situation with a rulebook that had enough overlap to allow successful completion of the game.CBMTTekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07408004987103862573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-43759461745841766412012-06-08T10:48:27.184-07:002012-06-08T10:48:27.184-07:00That's how I felt working at Kroger.
I worked...That's how I felt working at Kroger.<br /><br />I worked my ass off and stuck my neck out. I talked with everybody and tried to befriend everyone. When they needed someone I offered myself, even if it was a day off. They would tell me (oh you're a great worker, just you need to work on your speed) year I've only worked there for 2 months, you can't expect me to be flash gordon...but what pissed me off, was I would see everyone standing around bullshitting themselves while I put my nose to the grindstone and work. What was my thank you for that?<br /><br />"We're sorry but we'll have to let you go."<br /><br />Cap is right. This country is just Bullshit. <br /><br />The irony was...most of the lazy asses and bullshitters in my company were men and it was the men who told me to "be more efficient" but wouldn't tell me how and would just say "hey gotta hit that ground running" all the while they would try and interrupt my work so they could talk about their life.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-12257191850428374222012-06-08T09:55:53.503-07:002012-06-08T09:55:53.503-07:00"So why do you want to work here?"
And ..."So why do you want to work here?"<br /><br />And I reply with<br /><br />"Money."<br /><br />And thanks to the captain I have found a new line to use. In fact, I am willing to wager that this response will weed out the good companies from the bad.<br /><br />I image that good managers would laught at the reponse because they themselves no how foolish the question is.Cogitans Iuvenishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960295264769181088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-22246647627703061802012-06-08T09:55:21.064-07:002012-06-08T09:55:21.064-07:00I think I have a new idea for a manosphere blog - ...I think I have a new idea for a manosphere blog - the quote of the day. <br /><br />This would be mine today:<br /><br />"Another aspect of HR is that it's "wishlist" for qualities and traits in a candidate for a job is equally impossible as the typical Ameircan woman's "wishlist" for qualities in a man for courtship. I've spoken of it before, but when they're asking for 5 years experience in a software that has only been on the market for 3, you might as well be asking for a bad boy alpha motorcycle riding preacher, who's an animal in the sack, but only after you're married, who's also rich, but never married, and no children, but wants to take care of your 3 children from 4 other guys."beta_plusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-24540164258098737942012-06-08T08:11:25.027-07:002012-06-08T08:11:25.027-07:00Here is a better way to understand.
1. Suppose th...Here is a better way to understand.<br /><br />1. Suppose that all the leaders were honest and intelligent. Then, things would be fine. If someone was dishonest, they wouldn't fit in and would be weeded out.<br /><br />2. Suppose that almost all the leaders have the same personality type as Bernard Madoff. If someone is honest and intelligent, they won't fit in and will be weeded out.<br /><br />(2) is what we have right now. Most of the CEOs and politicians are criminally insane, just like Bernard Madoff. There are a few honest-but-wimpy people around. They're outnumbered and don't understand what's going on.<br /><br />You could say "Well, start your own business!" All those regulations and taxes are a huge handicap. The taxes I pay subsidize my evil competitors.<br /><br />Even if I work hard and start a successful small business, I'm subsidizing incompetent evil people via taxes.FSKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11903396202330950362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-62554226149610168902012-06-08T08:10:12.913-07:002012-06-08T08:10:12.913-07:00nonoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-62050050811681500712012-06-08T07:28:40.686-07:002012-06-08T07:28:40.686-07:00Oh Captain, My Captain!
I thought I was the only ...Oh Captain, My Captain!<br /><br />I thought I was the only one. I've never had a "good" job. I've only had crappy entry level jobs that are absolutely at the mercy of HR. Mercy from women with political power. HA! <br /><br />Invariably, within a few weeks I've seen so much abject stupidity I blurt out, "You people are morons!" Soon after I find myself on the street. Again.<br /><br />Where, oh, where is the company comprised of veterans who are ethically pursuing profit? <br /><br />Thanks, Cap. It's a relief to know I'm not the only insane one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-37424686843572558212012-06-08T06:06:58.145-07:002012-06-08T06:06:58.145-07:0095 % of employers make stupid, irrational decision...95 % of employers make stupid, irrational decisions on the labor market that will backfire horribly when the western economies are just not able to produce anything valuable anymore.<br /><br />95 % of women make stupid, irrational desicions on the sex market that will backfire horribly when they turn 30.<br /><br />95 % of youth make stupid, irrational decisions regarding their education that will backfire horribly when they graduate from college.<br /><br />95 % of parents make stupid, irrational decisions in parenting that will backfire horribly when their kids get into puberty.<br /><br />Yes, I believe the world is screwed up big time.Sonny Orteganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-67598516101640184752012-06-08T05:41:38.643-07:002012-06-08T05:41:38.643-07:00Cap, if you haven't seen this yet, check out t...Cap, if you haven't seen this yet, check out this guy's free e-book, available as HTML here: http://selfadoration.com/ManAlive.html<br /><br />I'm not wholly a Randian in every aspect of life, but her ideal man and woman, one who was responsible, innovative, hard working, and proud of their jobs is something I haven't seen in a long time. I've been out of corporate America for many years, partly due to the exact situation you describe. I got fired from one job, because subconsciously I hated it there but felt I had few places to go. I saw promotion after promotion being given to "yes" women or connected family members cutting their teeth in my department before moving on to the corner office. I was always getting in trouble for trying to cut through the red tape and reduce the bureaucracy. It was so frustrating for me - I tend to like direct routes to solutions rather than playing endless games of placate-the-people waiting for something to happen.<br /><br />Teaching was even worse. Placate the superintendent, placate your supervisor, placate the kids, placate the parents...spun my wheels for three years before I got out of that field, too. Now, I just don't work. No salary, no taxes. And I am married but I don't collect unemployment. I rolled my modest retirement monies into a money market and between those savings and my husband's salary we do OK.<br /><br />If I ever return to work, it will be for one of my local farmers or as a waitress. I'm not wasting my time or mind on a lost cause any longer.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02887726976835609577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-48343157737097498742012-06-08T04:46:11.473-07:002012-06-08T04:46:11.473-07:00HR operates from this exact same premise - that th...<i>HR operates from this exact same premise - that the job is the prize to be won and that you should be honored to even be considered for the position. </i><br /><br />Here's the interesting thing: there are jobs that are prizes. I have one.<br /><br />1. I didn't have to deal with HR at any point before being given an offer.<br /><br />2. We have a couple of our own "HR" people whose job is basically to make sure the paper works and run interference (and they're happy to do that) so we can accomplish work.<br /><br />3. They treat those of us qualified to do the job as prizes as well. When we find someone who can do it we hire them.<br /><br />4. They are looking for a good generalist skill set (a working knowledge of mathematics) and one of two specific skills (a good working knowledge of Perl or C++). Beyond that, they are more than happy to train you. In fact, we hold weekly training open to everyone.<br /><br />5. While the majority of us hold advanced degrees in a STEM field (or economics) many of us (including me) only include a bachelors and one person, in this six figures with bonus group, doesn't have a college degree. Before he became a programmer (self-taught) he was a printer.<br /><br />6. We are encouraged and rewarded for asking questions. After my first year one of the things I was told when getting my bonus was, "you're always asking questions," as part of the reason I did so well.<br /><br />7. They were very upfront that this job pays well and were happy to talk about money.<br /><br />8. At no point in the process was I asked, "why do you want to work here." Instead, it was point out to me multiple times that I could have a lot of fun while making a lot of money. Clearly money was an acceptable answer to them.<br /><br />9. My job is a prize. If I didn't have to work for money I'd still do it. Better still, I get paid a shit ton of money to do it.<br /><br />I am confident that if #1 and #2 were not true the rest wouldn't be true as well. The head of our group expends a lot of corporate political capital making sure "the rules don't apply to us". It shows.Pulp Herbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486803457210325703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-63248604871952889852012-06-08T04:29:10.710-07:002012-06-08T04:29:10.710-07:00"And if an employer has the choice between hi..."And if an employer has the choice between hiring somebody who asks difficult and reality based questions, or somebody who is a slave to their debt, and therefore will never question management, they're going to go with the psychologically defeated automoton every time. "<br /><br />Yep. <br /><br />I fire employers all the time and never think of it as failure. I grew up in dysfunction and be hanged if I'll spend the majority of my life working with dysfunction. I do my best, I leave a good paper trail and training materials behind me, but I walk, all the same. Pisses them off, because they're so sure they own their employees.Joan of Argghh!https://www.blogger.com/profile/14729682908266300507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-88950867819299256162012-06-08T02:26:42.185-07:002012-06-08T02:26:42.185-07:00You missed a couple of things Cappy.
1. Don'...You missed a couple of things Cappy.<br /><br />1. Don't be an asshole. Do not dump work on your colleagues. Do your share. <br /><br />2. Don't be a prig. You may be a socially aware and politically correct -- but please don't expect me to join you. I don't care at work if you belong to the right clubs. Because I don't. Don't tell me how to think or what is acceptable.<br /><br />3. Don't be a eunuch. Tell HR to disappear. Inform people about what the problems are, fix your bit, in fact fix a bit more, and do your fiduciary duty.<br /><br />In short, it is a job. You are a tradesman. Do your job. For the money.<br /><br />The company will be dead before you are.<br /><br />And for goodness sake, do not lose your morals, balls, and spine. Do not become a suit.Chrishttp://pukeko.net.nz/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-17522028583661282462012-06-08T00:22:25.226-07:002012-06-08T00:22:25.226-07:00THANK YOU! I've been waiting for a post like ...THANK YOU! I've been waiting for a post like this for ages. I'm trying to get into that world (Big Four pay well and have decent benefits, what can I say?) but I have no illusions about rocking any boats or doing anything even moderately unique. Head low, yes sir, get my check and go home.<br /><br />That I would even post on a blog like this would certainly bar employment were it known by any prospective employers, because freedom of speech and freedom of opinion are only desired in modern America if sufficiently large numbers of people hold similar views. If you deviate too much from the acceptable range, you're either Hitler or Stalin and maybe both. <br /><br />Look at gay marriage (an issue I don't particularly care about) and how it has changed just in the last six months. A few years ago, being against gay marriage was an acceptable political position. It would make you enemies, like all positions do, but it was common enough. Now, it is very rapidly becoming a forbidden viewpoint and everybody who is anybody in corporate America is now for it. Did everybody in mainstream America just experience a complete change in opinion? Of course not. It just became clear that the left was going to win this issue and it would be good to publicly take their side now rather than face the wrath of the SPLC, ACLU, ADL, etc. dissent-silencing machine down the line. Mark my words, being against gay marriage will soon be a terminable offense in corporate America.<br /><br />I don't care about whether gays marry or not, but the ability of employers to crush people with unpopular viewpoints bodes ill for all of us. I may not like socialists and feminists, but if they can do their job then their political views should hold no bearing on their employment status. All I want is for their side to show the same tolerance to us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-6656694538908821122012-06-07T23:43:22.412-07:002012-06-07T23:43:22.412-07:00Once, at an interview for an engineering job at a ...Once, at an interview for an engineering job at a tech company, the HR broad asked me the following questions (in order):<br /><br />1) Describe yourself.<br />2) How would your current boss describe you?<br />3) How would your best friend describe you?<br />4) How would your first reference describe you?<br />5) How would your second reference describe you?<br /><br />Not a single tech question though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-91908232401656963082012-06-07T22:26:18.816-07:002012-06-07T22:26:18.816-07:00You might like this:
http://stonerwithaboner.word...You might like this:<br /><br />http://stonerwithaboner.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/debt-is-slavery/<br /><br />and this...<br /><br />http://stonerwithaboner.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/work-sucks-reprint/Stoner With a Bonerhttp://stonerwithaboner.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com