[ukigumo]

That sounds like a horrible place to work and the arguments are complete nonsense.

To me, and maybe I'm just too cynical, but it sounds like the manager was telling you that the company needed 50% of your work to be off the books in order for them to meet expectations which is a sign of a poorly managed company. But then again it makes sense since, according to him, only people who show no capacity to self-manage, prioritise or delegate get promoted.

I think you did well in leaving that job, good on you!

[engi_nerd]

What makes this story a little more ridiculous (and funnier to tell) is that we were all employed in the business of designing and launching scientific research rockets.

The phrase "it's not rocket science" has a whole new meaning for me now.

[Already__Taken]

Is that researching the science of rockets or using rockets to put research things where they need to be?

[engi_nerd]

The latter.