From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npois!alice!rabbit!jj Newsgroups: net.news,net.jokes.d Title: Re: net.jokes.q just shafted... Article-I.D.: rabbit.590 Posted: Mon Jul 5 14:35:00 1982 Received: Tue Jul 6 00:53:44 1982 References: ihuxl.207 houxs.150 Dave Inhat's reply to the net prompts me to question the principles of management that he seems to espouse. I do not particularly disagree with the other ideas set forth, although I feel that tolerance of stupidity is something that has to be considered carefully, and its consideration be weighted by its cost. (Yes, I make mistakes, but I try not to. Some people clearly don't make that effort.) I still feel that the proper way to control misuse is to make the misuser feel the brunt of the complaint. Any other system is inherently unstable. The principle of management that Mr. Inhat mentions is that of the strict hierarchy. This type of management works only if the layers of management between the person and the "high level manager" are assumed to work correctly. This assumption is often wrong, and therefore usually fatal. An additional comment from my experience: My management has invited comments on sexual harrasment. They have stated that someone with a complaint or a question should feel free to talk to whomever. Of course, if the privelege is abused, it will be withdrawn. It is possible (although I certainly have NO knowlege of the particular situation) that this was the case. I am certain that my management would, for the most part, react the same way. I think that one should consider the situation facing the person who is complained to. 1) The manager is faced with an item that is certainly offensive, and of no worth whatsoever(according to his/her judgement.) 2) This person knows exactly nothing of the source except that it provides gems like the one that is currently in question. 3) The person bans the distribution medium. Why shouldn't he/she? There is NO reason to keep it that he/she knows of. 4) After panic, mass unhappiness, and chaos, with the most useful and productive people in the area loosing every bit of prestige they once had with local management, the medium is restored, on a trial basis, with a warning that a report has to be written every month to justify the existance of the medium. 5) Someone gets tired of the report writing. End of useful medium. To those who started this whole thing by deliberately posting items to newsgroups known to cause trouble: May you have the luck of the Shah of Iran, the charisma of Richard Nixon, and the life of Scarlett O'Hara! enough already!