| > this person's entire career reads like a rat navigating through a maze built by superiors.... it helps put into perspective the follower mentality some have... A few things:
1) The article was a fantastic read(!), and I couldn't help but think that the polygraph is a bit of a hazing ritual that is used to measure, not truthfulness/deception, but one's eagerness for the job and system. As a said in another post, once too many people begin to question a/the system that depends on wide-scale high levels of trust(compliance), it fails. The whole thing seemed to involve a lot of behavioral conditioning. Example 1: Offer computer access (so that you can do your supposed job) contingent upon one complying w/ and passing the poly. Example 2: Oh, you hate the poly and put up a fuss? Well, thanks for complying: here's a good performance review and raise.' So long as the writer responded appropriately to the bell, he/she received a treat. This is intro-level psych. 2) Though most are not subjected to polygraphs, the experience described over all, doesn't deviate from what most employees experience, unfortunately. You mentioned a maze, and you are correct. That's why the typical work arrangement is colloquially described as "the rat race". 3) A lot of people like "grabbing their ankles," as you say. As it's been explained to me numerous times, they appreciate the "structure" or "predictability." I try not to fight it anymore. Sheep make good eatin', and I realize I should just live as such. > ...they have the leverage to not put up with these things... As someone who's been around the block a bit, I no longer believe this. There are too many willing ankle grabbers in world that is more interested in compliance (ego-stroking of the insecure, actually) than in achieving perfection, or even just "better than." Of course, there are exceptions, but those are few and far between, IMO. So, the author suggested one coping mechanism, just as I above offered another. Cheers! |