Re^10: Module Announcement: Perl-Critic-1.01 (scalar)

In the general case, it is foolish to assume that bosses are morons and underlings have the correct answers.

First, there is no implicit or implied assumption that all bosses are morons. Having been the boss for a good part of my career, that would indeed be foolish. I've also been lucky enough to work for many, very excelllent bosses over the years.

However, I've also been unlucky enough to work for some, who whilst often very competent people and resource managers, decisions makers etc., that were completely out of their element when it came to the technical issues of the departments they ran. These are far more common than one would like, and it's not always a bad thing. The problems arise when they start to make technical descisions in ass-covering mode; or on the strength of the school/college/regimental logo on the tie of the last salesman they spoke to; or the quality of the meal he brought them; or simply because his sales pitch had convinced them that XYZ would save their project.

A consortium of underlings may conspire and through insubordination save a project from a mandate of some stupid practice, but that just helps to prove the mandate worthwhile.

No matter how I read that I would paraphrase it as:

A mandate of a stupid practice is worthwhile, if it causes the underlings subjected to it, to pull together to save the project. Even if that means they must resort to insubordination to do so.

Hmm. If a bad commander's policy of 'shoot to kill' eventually causes his troops to rebel and initiate a coup against him, his brutality was justified?

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.

"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".

In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

"Too many [] have been sedated by an oppressive environment of political correctness and risk aversion."

Comment on Re^10: Module Announcement: Perl-Critic-1.01 (scalar)

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Re^11: Module Announcement: Perl-Critic-1.01 (scalar) by rir (Vicar) on Jan 29, 2007 at 20:41 UTC
BrowserUk, although you seem to have taken my Luddite-crous statement in stride, I apologize. I would not have described your idea as ludricrous, so I should not have done so by word play. In my circles, PHB is disparaging in the extreme; I didn't consider that you might give it a much lighter meaning. A consortium of underlings may conspire and through insubordination save a project from a mandate of some stupid practice, but that just helps to prove the mandate worthwhile. In the above, worthwhile was not meant in a moral sense. The project's plans and documents will seem to show that the mandate was followed, so the mandate is associated, officially, with the success. Your example of a coup seems inapplicable, in the settings I'm considering, the crew is conspiring to save the mission and may inadvertently bring honor to their leader. I recommend Perl::Critic to you, it is a good tool; customizing the settings is not especially arduous. It would be good that people like yourself be early adopters because you will effect what does become the default set-up that will be thoughtlessly adopted by some. Be well, rir	[reply]

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Re^11: Module Announcement: Perl-Critic-1.01 (scalar)
by rir (Vicar) on Jan 29, 2007 at 20:41 UTC

Luddite-crous

In my circles, PHB is disparaging in the extreme; I didn't consider that you might give it a much lighter meaning.

A consortium of underlings may conspire and through insubordination save a project from a mandate of some stupid practice, but that just helps to prove the mandate worthwhile.

In the above, worthwhile was not meant in a moral sense. The project's plans and documents will seem to show that the mandate was followed, so the mandate is associated, officially, with the success.

Your example of a coup seems inapplicable, in the settings I'm considering, the crew is conspiring to save the mission and may inadvertently bring honor to their leader.

I recommend Perl::Critic to you, it is a good tool; customizing the settings is not especially arduous. It would be good that people like yourself be early adopters because you will effect what does become the default set-up that will be thoughtlessly adopted by some.

Be well,
rir

[reply]