frustration Friday

Me, I like long-term planning.  Part of that is my nature, part of it is the value, and part of it is because I'm a Project Manager and I'm paid to be anal-retentive and think long-term (fortunately both come naturally to me).

As I've ranted in these posts, we need more long-term planning in our government, our companies, our economies, and our lives.  We have to think ahead, we have to plan ahead, otherwise we get . . . er, well look just go read the economic news.  After you stop weeping, we'll get back to my rant.

So, as a person who does long-term planning, at times I have to design methods to help companies and individuals plan long-term.  Sometimes it takes a lot of explanation.

And this leads to my Frustration Friday: would we even know what the hell long-term planning looks like in the realms of economics and politics?  Would we recognize it?

I'm actually not so sure – and I count myself in the number.

We're used to balance-sheet BS, we're used to crisis-of-the-moment politics, we're used to short-term thinking.  Politicians, business leaders, and pundits that propose actual long-term and thoughtful solutions may just not fit what we're used to.  In the heat of the moment, in a distracted reading of a news article, in a short soundbite, we may not realize someone just proposed actual good long-term solutions to problems.

We're so used to the short-term planning and short-term thinking, I'm not sure we'd recognize good long-term planning from our leaders and many supposed experts.

– Steven Savage

Yes, we know employment sucks in . . . . er, a lot of the world.  We know people are having trouble finding work.  Sure in some cases it's obvious – lack of demand, unused cash, lack of stimulus, etc.  But there's something else I'm noticing as I talk with people.

Namely – how many job openings are there really?

See, I'm not sure really:

Recruiters I know seem desperate for people.

• Job openings don't seem to line up with, well, the amount of people finding work.
• It seems hiring people takes so long because of the laundry lists, people miss hiring people.
• I'm not sure who's not hiring just due to economic uncertainty, wanting tax breaks, etc.
• Regional differences are, often . . . insane.

So yes, we know there's a large part of unemployment due to structural issues, economic issues, industry changes, etc.  But I'm wondering what part of it is due to things that aren't such issues, that could be addresssed – and I don't know.

I'd like to know. It'd help me help others. 

– Steven Savage

"I don't want to sell out."  Yes, we hear that from many people, from those that are true geniuses to failed writers and singers wanting to excuse the fact that they actually really suck.  But it is, for some, a real fear, a definite terror, and one that I sincerely think people need to be told to get the heck over.

Please, for the love of all that's holy my progeeks and progeekesses (and your young progeekettes), sell out and go and make gobs of money being famous and influential.

First, I doubt you're actually going to sell out if you're the kind of person that reads this blog.  Oh you might a bit, you may compromise a tad, but I'm sure you'll do pretty well.  Take a look at how many profans and protaku are out there who are famous and are actually pretty cool to at least tolerable.

Secondly, go on and hit the big leagues because we need you out there being influential.

Yes, think about it, if you become hot stuff, if your novel is huge, if you're a big name in gaming, then you can go make a difference.  You have a chance to change the industry and the world, hire people, be heard.  You, by being part of the system can actually work to change what doesn't work.

Kind of worth the risk of selling out, isn't it?

Imagine what you can do with influence, with a good reputation, with the regard of fans or fellows?  Worth taking the risk of selling out and becoming an insufferable twonk, isn't it?

You're not going to change the system from the outside, folks, so dive on into it.  I'm pretty confident you can make a difference.

And if you sell out all the way and become an intolerable jackass?  I'll be here to remind you.

(If I totally sell out, then you have to yell at me.  Remember that).

– Steven Savage