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I Try Use This Word Sparingly
Nov. 22nd, 2006 12:35 amBecause it is a powerful word, a word that is very hard to redeem. It is unequivocal and it is harsh opinion.
That said, I HATE group project assignments in school.
I am not a team player. I know this about myself. When I "win" with another group of people it is a coalition, perhaps cabal, not a team. We do not win out of camaradrie, we win because *DOMINATION* is the only option.
Group projects invariably leave me feeling used and abused. The group is never a group you would have chosen, in the interest of "fostering cross-communication and the sharing of ideas". Neither of those things necessarily implies "competency", "capability", and "success". I mean, I could go sit in a room with a fine gentleman from the Kalahari and discuss the finer points of history of coinage, metallurgy, and why the modern US quarter has a milled edge but the nickel doesn't...I would be "fostering cross-communication" and "sharing of ideas" yet accomplishing nothing.
This does not scratch the surface of the shiftless, lazy, ignorant pieces of Hudson River sludge that make up the other group members. But you cannot let them fail on their own accord because they have been tied around your neck like the 20 ton albatrosses they are and you are plummetting to an F with them. So you have to do your work, and theirs, and their research in order to keep on top. And when you have succeeded despite their worthless asses...
"Your group did a great job! Nice work, guys."
They reap the ill-gotten glory and accolade of your toil! You could shout to the heavens that they didn't do a damn thing but it doesn't matter; you pulled together "as a team" and it all came out alright.
Sure, they didn't learn as much probably and this will be its own punishment in the end as they are poorer for the lack of experience...aww, bullshit. We all know that all was learned was "Cool, I didn't have to do much of anything again." And eventually that person will be promoted out of incompetence to be your supervisor where they can't do as much direct harm.
Yes, I am might bit pissed with my Radioecology class at the moment. Why do you ask?
That said, I HATE group project assignments in school.
I am not a team player. I know this about myself. When I "win" with another group of people it is a coalition, perhaps cabal, not a team. We do not win out of camaradrie, we win because *DOMINATION* is the only option.
Group projects invariably leave me feeling used and abused. The group is never a group you would have chosen, in the interest of "fostering cross-communication and the sharing of ideas". Neither of those things necessarily implies "competency", "capability", and "success". I mean, I could go sit in a room with a fine gentleman from the Kalahari and discuss the finer points of history of coinage, metallurgy, and why the modern US quarter has a milled edge but the nickel doesn't...I would be "fostering cross-communication" and "sharing of ideas" yet accomplishing nothing.
This does not scratch the surface of the shiftless, lazy, ignorant pieces of Hudson River sludge that make up the other group members. But you cannot let them fail on their own accord because they have been tied around your neck like the 20 ton albatrosses they are and you are plummetting to an F with them. So you have to do your work, and theirs, and their research in order to keep on top. And when you have succeeded despite their worthless asses...
"Your group did a great job! Nice work, guys."
They reap the ill-gotten glory and accolade of your toil! You could shout to the heavens that they didn't do a damn thing but it doesn't matter; you pulled together "as a team" and it all came out alright.
Sure, they didn't learn as much probably and this will be its own punishment in the end as they are poorer for the lack of experience...aww, bullshit. We all know that all was learned was "Cool, I didn't have to do much of anything again." And eventually that person will be promoted out of incompetence to be your supervisor where they can't do as much direct harm.
Yes, I am might bit pissed with my Radioecology class at the moment. Why do you ask?
