Views from the Hills by R. E. Stevens, GENESIS II (The Second Beginning) E-Mail views@aol.com

Do We Really Have Things Backwards?

Frequently friends suggest reading material to me.  Maybe they think if I read enough, I may change and change for the better.  I think I'm getting too old to change but there just may be some friends out there that would still like to try it for themselves.  following are two of the latest suggestions.  One deals with an excerpt from a book by Matthew Kelly titled, A Call To Joy.  It was given to me by a priest friend.  I hope you find it as stimulating as I did.

The following is from an anonymous author:

"We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints, we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less common sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, and pray too little.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.  We talk too much, love too seldom, and lie too often.  We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, but not life to years.  We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes, but lower morals."
 

What does this have to do with market research?  I think many parallels can be drawn between yesterday and today in our profession.  Even if you don't agree, I hope you find the author's perspective interesting.

The second recommendation deals with a book recommended by a principal of a local school.  It is by Spencer Johnson and titled Who Moved My Cheese?  I never heard of it and was I surprised when I found it to be the number one seller of management books.  I never thought I'd ever pay $20 for a 94-page book but I did.  It is a good book and an excellent addition to my library.  The principal, Dr. Steve Hutton, said he never expected me to purchase it.  He thought I would just read it in the bookstore.  Actually that would not have been a bad idea if I had not wanted a copy for the office.  Of the 94 pages, only 50 involve the story.  The rest of the book is taken up by the introduction and discussion.

The focus of the book is on how different people deal with change.  The story involves two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two small people, Hem and Haw, who live in a maze.  Enough said about the book except that I agree it is a gem -- small and valuable.  Take an hour to read it in the store or library or even purchase a copy.


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