[CR]File Marks - long but at least read first two sentences

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

From: "Howard Darr" <hdarr@localnet.com>
To: "brucerobbins" <brucerobbins@supanet.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <MONKEYFOODAwzGtts9i000027fc@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org> <003c01c504d2$fec60240$b0bc28d5@Robbocomp>
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 22:00:12 -0500
reply-type=response
Subject: [CR]File Marks - long but at least read first two sentences

Greetings,

I think one needs to view file marks with some appreciation that we do not have a God's eye view of how they got there.

I like many others see the world by my own experience on the shop floor.

When I was in college I worked on a factory floor deburring parts.

What I found was that some people did excellent work where it was seen and were not so picky about those things not seen.

There were multiple problems. First, whether the parts were produced before or after the quart of Millers, a shot of whiskey and a pickled egg at the zoo for lunch. Second, some of the folks had no pride in what they did. They were there for a pay check and did as little as possible to get it. Third, some were dishonest and where forever trying to figure a way to beat the system and have more time to goof off.

There were a few that were conscientious and generally very unpopular. To a budding shop rat the best path seemed for the long run was to do a good job but not too much of it.

You wouldn't want to be seen as a brown nose. I heard more than once "slow down you get paid the same no matter how much you do".

OTOH Those fine people working by the piece then encountered a whole new dynamic coming into play. Most companies calculate what they want done and there is a dance of lies between labor and management to determine an acceptable rate.

This I do know, not all shops were places you could work and have any sense of worth, fulfillment or dignity.

There was a choice each worker had, bend to the system of profitability or rebel. Albert Camus a "on Time Line philosopher (1913-1960)said that we need to confess meaningless or REBEL and take it as your own like Sisyphus. Do the work well but staredefiantly at the man.

So maybe those that were done well were ones done by the rebels.

Howard Darr

Clymer PA