That’s so funny. My first thought in reading the manual was that it was like every shitty colleague/employee/boss I’ve ever had was with me, there in the room.
It also sounded a bit like working for the US Postal Service in 1973 when I had a job in Boston as a “casual clerk.” But it really reads like it must have been adopted as a strategy manual by every union in the Irish public sector.
Sometimes all of that, or at least some of it, happens in the regular operations of things. It definitely causes problems. So, I see your analysis. Sort of like being passively aggressive.😁
Oh my goodness. So important to read. Especially for those who cannot fathom being this way by default. Thank you so much for putting in so much time to share this. 🙏🏼
This is so wild! My dad suggested I download it when Cheeto was elected, in case it got removed after he was inaugurated, which I did. I hadn’t read it until yesterday though, and here is a post about it the day after I read it! I was equally delighted with and laughed out loud often while reading it. I found it highly encouraging, even if I never have an opportunity to utilize its advice. Reading it bolstered my belief in our resilience somehow.
I love how this describes daily work done in most corporations. Either most office workers in large orgs are saboteurs or there’s no need for this manual - just let people be themselves and reward mediocrity.
Haha. This is indeed fun reading, and I concede we share the love for older documents which are ‘impossible’ to copy and paste from. I thank you for posting! We got this!
"2. Make "speeches." Talk as frequently as possible and at great length. Illustrate your "points” by long anecdotes and accounts of personal experiences. Never hesitate to make a few appropriate patriotic comments."
Are you sure you're not mistakenly transcribing a script from "The Office"? 😂
Isn't that all just standard practice in most bureaucracies? Not just public sector, but also corporate. At least, in my working life. It seems I would have made an excellent saboteur! Or perhaps I was an accidental one? I suppose that's the genius of it - if everyone was doing it to some extent, someone doing it a bit more, and intentionally, would not be noticed.
I thought of Hungary when I was editing this. I lived there just after the “you pretend to pay me and I pretend to work”days ended. There was a certain natural genius among Hungarians in this area 😬
This is great. Weirdly, it sounds like how MAGA actually operates. Turnabout is fair play.
I find it so inspiring!
I’m sorry to say this, but it sounds very much like working in the Irish public sector.
That’s so funny. My first thought in reading the manual was that it was like every shitty colleague/employee/boss I’ve ever had was with me, there in the room.
It also sounded a bit like working for the US Postal Service in 1973 when I had a job in Boston as a “casual clerk.” But it really reads like it must have been adopted as a strategy manual by every union in the Irish public sector.
“Strategy manual.” You’re killing me!
Sometimes all of that, or at least some of it, happens in the regular operations of things. It definitely causes problems. So, I see your analysis. Sort of like being passively aggressive.😁
Exactly!
Oh my goodness. So important to read. Especially for those who cannot fathom being this way by default. Thank you so much for putting in so much time to share this. 🙏🏼
So glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for reading
This is so wild! My dad suggested I download it when Cheeto was elected, in case it got removed after he was inaugurated, which I did. I hadn’t read it until yesterday though, and here is a post about it the day after I read it! I was equally delighted with and laughed out loud often while reading it. I found it highly encouraging, even if I never have an opportunity to utilize its advice. Reading it bolstered my belief in our resilience somehow.
I felt the same way! And I think your dad is right — I would expect the document to disappear quite soon. Did your dad work in intelligence?
Incredible!
Thank you! Did you get The Office vibes?
I love how this describes daily work done in most corporations. Either most office workers in large orgs are saboteurs or there’s no need for this manual - just let people be themselves and reward mediocrity.
Exactly. That’s the beauty of it
Haha. This is indeed fun reading, and I concede we share the love for older documents which are ‘impossible’ to copy and paste from. I thank you for posting! We got this!
https://open.substack.com/pub/republia/p/the-difference-between-monarchies?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=4ucf6d&utm_medium=ios
Work slow down, work stoppages, no buying except for food and essentials.
Aahhh... the manual on weaponized incompetence.
I hadn’t thought of it like that, but it really is, isn’t it?
"2. Make "speeches." Talk as frequently as possible and at great length. Illustrate your "points” by long anecdotes and accounts of personal experiences. Never hesitate to make a few appropriate patriotic comments."
Are you sure you're not mistakenly transcribing a script from "The Office"? 😂
I’ve worked at places like this! Sadly, they weren’t actually resisting anything…
Me, too. For years! But how intoxicating to behave like this on purpose! It just opens up a whole new world.
Isn't that all just standard practice in most bureaucracies? Not just public sector, but also corporate. At least, in my working life. It seems I would have made an excellent saboteur! Or perhaps I was an accidental one? I suppose that's the genius of it - if everyone was doing it to some extent, someone doing it a bit more, and intentionally, would not be noticed.
I thought of Hungary when I was editing this. I lived there just after the “you pretend to pay me and I pretend to work”days ended. There was a certain natural genius among Hungarians in this area 😬
What a great read, let’s turn this all back on the “new administration “
Highly recommend the book All the Frequent Troubles of our Days by Rebecca Donner !
I have to confess, I had the same thought!