Dilbert and the Old Shipbuilder

Today, February 3, Dilbert offers "wisdom"!  The first two frames of the cartoon show a planning session: 1)  If we build our software with no bugs, we can make a 10% return on investment.  2)  But if we do a poor job, we can make a 40% return by selling upgrades and service.

Frame 3:  But don't worry, we only have the budget for a poor job.

In drawings and "the funny papers" it's called a cartoon.  But......

We used to call it "creeping mediocrity" - - - (not sure what the name is now, but I do notice the same business plan in place.  Do you?)  I remember the first time I totally recognized it.  I was driving the 8th car out of one car-maker's "stable" of names.  Same problems:  tan upholstery that faded to pink (never chose that color again!), transmission problems, AC control problems, power window problems, usually beginning around 40,000 miles.

They were the same folks who invented "planned obsolescence", then claimed to drop that plan, while continuing it, just the same.  As one wit said, "The quality control department is the first consumer."

The socially-correct thing, of course, is "don't say unkind things", and most of us don't.  And most manufacturers do "get it", or disappear.  We may deny it in conversation, but we never can quite forget our last experience of that fundamental dishonesty when we are making the next purchase.

But when things are on my shift, on my desk, on my calendar, do I hold MYSELF accountable?

The serious side of Dilbert is reflected in the old ship-builder's workshop wall painting:  "No Sham Survives The Sea".  No bad wood, no sloppy joints, no mediocrity will survive the impact of the ocean's reality in the form of a cresting wave.  Still true:  no sham survives the sea.   (Copy and paste, at least mentally.)

The words aren't in the Bible, not in the Book of Proverbs, not in the Sermon on the Mount, but the spirit of those five words is written all through.

Honest work, honest living, honest productivity comes from and nourishes accountability and authenticity.  It's a cycle.  Abundant life both comes from and leads us into accountability and authenticity, right inside the definitions from Jesus.  Every time.  And when the world around us specializes in creeping mediocrity, we have to be consciously aware of the personal honesty Jesus requires of disciples.  Nothing less is really life for us.