[TheForge] rant concerning quality of products

[Andrew Vida]

Well, the differences here are superficial in terms of how we use the 
words - no terminally big deal so long as it is recognized.  What counts 
most is that we recognize the underlying principles.  OTOH, 
communication is a tricky affair and working from a common set of 
definitions is usually a very good idea.  This is why I so strenuously 
object to the abuse/misuse of language.  Most people appear to regard it 
as innocuous.  I do not nearly agree - just recall Clinton and "what is 
the definition of 'is'"?  And America fell for it, by and large. 
Language is an art and perhaps the single most important intellectual 
craft we practice, yet few seem to appreciate just how significant and 
important this fact is to the quality of our lives.

Oh well.

GRAF wrote:
> It is so very funny how we play with the words.
> I was very consciously taught, at an early age the difference between 
> wanting "To do well", to "Take care of my family and myself", by living 
> a life of enlightened self interest, and greed.
> I must have been two or three the first time I had the story of the 
> Golden Goose told to me.
> 
> Wanting t earn a just profit = GOOD
> Greed invariably = BAD.
> 
> Mike Graf
> 
> Andrew Vida wrote:
>>
>>   
>>> Greed.
>>> It hasnt helped much in the USA in the last 50 years, no matter how  
>>> much Gordon Gecko said it did.
>>>     
>> 	Strictly speaking, the Gecko character was almost dead-on correct, save 
>> for the error of making only a half-statement.  He should have said 
>> "Greed is good as long as it remains healthy and doesn't go morbid". 
>> Greed has given us all the good stuff we enjoy.  Greed really is good as 
>> long as it is kept on a short-ish leash.  Give it too much lead and it 
>> goes all sick and nasty, which is what we have today.  We are terminally 
>> ill with it unless we pull out heads out of our assholes and go back 75 
>> or 100 years in attitude.  But is that even possible?  The forces at 
>> work are malevolent and extremely powerful.  Try manufacturing a top 
>> notch plow at a price that competes with the crap coming out of China - 
>> chances are Mr. Shanghai will be eating your lunch because Mr. US Farmer 
>> can buy 4 China  plows for the price of one US sample.
>>
>> 	We are living in a Gordian knot and untying it is going to take some 
>> magic and a whole lot of intestinal fortitude.  I can only wonder 
>> whether we still have it.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>>
>>   
> ______________________________________________________________
> TheForge mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net
> 
> TheForge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> Password: anvil
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> 

-- 

     -Andy Vida

             /\
        __  /  \  __
        \ \/ /\ \/ /   Proof Technologies Inc.
         \ \/  \ \/    IV&V, Project and Program Management
         /\_\__/\ \    Coming soon: parts for Star Reloaders
        / ____/ /_ \   (304) 466-0789
       /_/  \  /  \_\  osan at netlabs.net
             \/