Michael Erickson makes many good points -- so many in fact I more or less
agree and see no point in quoting his message.
I don't think there's anything wrong with presenting problems without
solutions. If we didn't identify problems until we had solutions, we'd
never make very much progress.
Yes, Scott Adams is making a whole lot of money doing what he does (which
I don't fault him for). I'm simply frustrated that so many people have
adopted the Dilbert view of the world: Any management theory or technique
that comes along _must_ be ineffective, complicated, and ridiculous. This
simply isn't true.
And, I'd also note that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to identify
obvious problems. These are the types of problems Scott Adams brings out
in his cartoon. Of course, he probably wouldn't make as much money if he
dug a little deeper and started showing systemic problems. That would
require too much thinking on the part of the reader. (BTW -- I've seen the
two cartoons done by Michael and published by Rick, and I thought they at
least one of them was far more substantive than is Dilbert.)
I have a good friend who can find problems with every idea ever conceived.
Whenever I want to test my ideas, I talk to him. He shreds them. I then
rethink them, and bring them back for more shredding. As soon as he gives
me a mild shrug and a "umph," I know I'm close to being right. Put him in
an organization, and look out. He'll tear the place apart. He can't be
content. He goes nuts whenever he sees what he considers stupidity. His
tongue is sharp, and his wit is quick and keen; he'll cut someone up in a
meeting before they've even realized what they've said.
My friend has an important role to play (at least in my life), but he's
not effective in a larger setting. Sometimes I think that's the way
Dilbert is.
-- Ben Compton The Accidental Learning Group Work: (801) 222-6178 Improving Business through Science and Art bcompton@geocities.com http://www.e-ad.com/ben/BEN.HTMLearning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>