Free-write
(Discussion of a writing question…that Perplexity did provide an answer to…)
I checked to see if there was anything I’d set aside, and maybe could complete. Nothing was really hitting. so here goes with the free-write.
One of the first listens today was Matt Welch on with LA Mayor Karen Bass.
My comment in the comments ยง on the Substack post for this interview was something along the lines of it reminding me of the Douglas Adams Somebody Else’s Problem field.
Things are iffy in LA, but things are getting better, and if there’s a problem, it’s because of somebody else.
There’s a few different ways to approach thins when you face questions/criticisms about something that’s your responsibility.
There’s no problem.
Yes, I see the problem, and here’s how I’m trying to fix it.
If there a problem, it’s somebody else’s fault.
If there’s a problem, it’s because of something that’s beyond anyone’s real control.
Response two is probably the correct one, but it’s not what you’re going to get from a politician.
Also had some good discussion with my psychologist about health issues, and some of the OCD-related issues. For many (most?) people, there’s a point where people get stuck in the “D” of the OODA Loops.
Worry about criticism in the AAR prevents any action.
During the AAR, too, I think you have to describe the first two Os that fed into the D step.
*searches for something about a job interview I had with a particularly-overbearing potential manager.*
There was this interviewer who seemed not to like my response to a question that I wasn’t interested in the do-something-even-if-it’s-wrong approach to IT operations. Just Act. Don’t focus on the Observation or Orientation. I think I said I didn’t want to behave that way because if you do, beating the problem device with a hammer was always a legitimate option.
I didn’t get the job. Given that the operation went out of business not long after should ease my mind a bit, I suppose.
The other thing I had for something related to the do-something-even-if-it’s-wrong attitude is from a 2003 private entry where I was talking about the USA PATRIOT Act. Circling back to the entry a few days ago, Lady G.
Or you could just let temporary things expire? So many things go to that in today’s news.
I think I’m finished for now. More tomorrow.