Capitalism
Posted on May 25, 2007 - Filed Under Philosophy |
This article by Ben Stein. His phrase "Capitalism requires flexibility" immediately captured my attention.
Ben bluntly summarizes the state of affairs in Detroit, Michigan. The automotive industry is suffering. People are losing jobs. And the mentality of the laid-off workers is they can’t find another job. Yet trying to get a plumber to unclog a drain is nearly impossible: their work-load is too great. As for income, we all know customers pay a lot of money for the privilege of seeing their plumbers butt-crack.
The notion that people have to do the same job, for the entire life-time, has become ludicrous. Ponder this thought: a 23 year old college graduate finds themselves working for the next 40+ years. And to think that someone would be condemned to do the same tasks day after day, year after year . . .
There is one other class of this society which performs the same tasks every day, year after year: people in prison.
My cubicle is grey. Coincidence perhaps?
The idea that our society allows for people to change careers or profession at any time is wonderful. And when this transition does occur, nobody really seems to wonder or care. Why? Society only asks one question of those providing a service: Are you qualified?
One morning, a wife comes out of the bathroom yelling. The shower drain has become completely clogged. Black sewage is spewing up all over the shower basin. Now the toilet is backed up and the PlayStation 2 stops working.
The husband calls the plumber and asks "So did you graduate from high school? Which one? Did you attend a four year or two year university? Is that a Bachelors of Science? What was your GPA? How many years have you been a plumber? Do you have any job references? Can you bring a copy of your job history?"
Um . . . no? That’s not reality.
The husband probably said "My wife is about to claw my eyes out! When can you get here and fix this *%*#@ thing?!?!"
Do not mis-interpret my message. I am not saying that we should all run out and become plumbers. Admittedly there are a few people who I would love to see work a plunger. But the message Ben is driving home is we live in an economy that thrives on flexibility. The more flexible someone is, the more chances they have at providing an income.
Getting the qualification is easy. It is clear that universities do not discriminate based on age. Graduating at 95 years old? Any school, university, or trade-skill shop is more than happy to train an orangutan as long as he has the money to pay.
And for us who are investors or becoming investors, we are OJT.
On the Job Training.
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