I saw a trailer today – yet another one – for The Apprentice. The latest development in the Dragons Den story, Lord Alan Sugar is out to do a bit more recruiting. A fun TV programme? A little game? A challenge we can get excited about? Surely just a joke? Sadly not. This stuff is helping to set the scene for the modern business world and even for some sectors of society.
Imagine the scene. It’s the latest family wedding. Everyone’s gathered – young and old. Uncle Bert is entertaining his favourite nephew. He’s struggling a bit because the wedding speeches are dragging on. “What do you want to be when you grow up, Jo?” A pause… “Cold, hard and unstoppable” comes the serious reply. Wait a minute, is this what really what we want to hear from our seven year olds? “Wouldn’t you like to work with animals, Jo? Become a vet? Or perhaps drive a train?” Apparently not. Jo has his eye on his future, his bank balance and probably his pension – already.
Do I exaggerate? Well, yes, probably, but is this what we really want? Imagine two of these cold, hard, unstoppable people striking up a relationship together, moving in together, sharing a house, sharing the chores, and even bringing up children together… What is likely to happen? A great formula for making money, perhaps – although I wouldn’t personally want to do business with Mr./Ms. Cold, Hard & Unstoppable. But imagine climbing into bed at night with him/her! Imagine sharing your old age with this latest streamlined, souped-up business model of humanity. When do we get to go on holiday, switch off the lap-top and settle down together on our sun beds?
Are we on ‘self-destruct’ – out to destroy the human race or what? Well, no need to get over-intense – just a couple of idle thoughts I had whilst wasting a few seconds of precious money-making time…
Imagine the scene. It’s the latest family wedding. Everyone’s gathered – young and old. Uncle Bert is entertaining his favourite nephew. He’s struggling a bit because the wedding speeches are dragging on. “What do you want to be when you grow up, Jo?” A pause… “Cold, hard and unstoppable” comes the serious reply. Wait a minute, is this what really what we want to hear from our seven year olds? “Wouldn’t you like to work with animals, Jo? Become a vet? Or perhaps drive a train?” Apparently not. Jo has his eye on his future, his bank balance and probably his pension – already.
Do I exaggerate? Well, yes, probably, but is this what we really want? Imagine two of these cold, hard, unstoppable people striking up a relationship together, moving in together, sharing a house, sharing the chores, and even bringing up children together… What is likely to happen? A great formula for making money, perhaps – although I wouldn’t personally want to do business with Mr./Ms. Cold, Hard & Unstoppable. But imagine climbing into bed at night with him/her! Imagine sharing your old age with this latest streamlined, souped-up business model of humanity. When do we get to go on holiday, switch off the lap-top and settle down together on our sun beds?
Are we on ‘self-destruct’ – out to destroy the human race or what? Well, no need to get over-intense – just a couple of idle thoughts I had whilst wasting a few seconds of precious money-making time…
No comments:
Post a Comment