does this only happen to me?

where i work, people will huddle together and anguish over some weird little problem for what seems like hours. when i'm approached for input, it usually seems as if there's an easy answer, which i am always happy to give, and the response is always the same:

"no, that can't be the answer!"

now, i'm not saying i'm some great genius, because i know i'm dumb as a post. the thing is, the problems aren't that difficult, but it seems like people feel like if they don't bang their heads against a wall about it, they're not "working" sufficiently, and so it's really not about finding the solution, but it's more about seeing how long folks can appear to be agonizing over trying to figure it out. or something. i don't know. it makes me crazy. just get the damn work done and move on, shee!

ok, rant over. that is all.

GlitterStream said:

that's my point! no more tears! just wash and rinse, dammit! but no, these people wanna wash their hair with some kind of rubber cement plant-gro craziness!

Anxiety said:

i'm offended by your avatar.

Yeah. Peole are fucking morons.

GlitterStream said:

huh? it's the same damn avatar i've had for a kabillion years!

Anxiety said:

It's obvious that your co-workers are DRAMA QUEENS.

M

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

it's not even drama! it's just fussing! at least if they were drama queens, it would be entertaining!

And they also love to have meetings about shit, and form focus groups. That's the new thing, focus groups...at least where I work.
What's funny is they have meetings to talk about low productivity. Here's an idea...how about we call off the fucking meeting and do some work? Geniuses....

Soulofmysoul said:

Happens to me all the time! I don't know what the fuck people's problem is either.

People like to overthink simple things. If something appears complex most don't settle for a simple solution.

People like to examine it from every angle, to over analyze and discuss "what if," scenarios.

I've done it myself. I enjoy a bit of pointless analysis.

LleeLlee said:

it's great if you're like on a roadtrip or trapped in an elevator with no way out or whatnot, but when you're on a bit of a deadline, there's a point where you gotta just have a bit of confidence and move on, no?

Anxiety said:

I also think that people hate it when they've beaten thier head over a subject and then they go to you and you give the simple answer almost naturally. People hate that. It comes off as snarky.

superspaceboy said:

maybe i should find a way to make it sounds anguished or non-simple. i could give them my answer as if i'd just been shot in the leg? i could practice my improv skills and my office cred at the same time!

Anxiety said:

yes of course you have to move on, especially when meeting deadlines. I just think people like to get pedantic sometimes. It can be frustrating, but unless they have covered every conceivable angle they dont feel they've given their all. I know, it sounds amazing. It can be an incredibale waste of time, but enjoyable.

Some people want a challenge, they wanna think.

Rinluv said:

well, in my opinion, they should save that for things that require thought.

Problem solving efficiently is a skill


[Edited 8/31/05 17:40pm]

Rinluv said:

You may have a point.

MadameS said:

but isn't there a time to put something under the microscope and a time to be efficient? is the process always more important than the product? you can't have a product without the product that created it, but if you can't come up with the finished thing, all the process in the world doesn't matter if someone can't have what they want when they want it.

My theory is that it's because most of the general public is stupid. (I know it sounds harsh, but sometimes the truth hurts. ) I refer you to Parkinson's Law: http://www.bartleby.com/5...andst.html If employees didn't over-analyze everything in endless meetings they would have more time to work, and thus, be more productive. If these people were smart enough to figure out a viable solution quickly, less people could do the work currently being performed by more employees who take more time. Less workers needed would, in turn, lead to higher unemployment and an economic collapse. (Okay so I'm just theorizing all that part after Parkinson's law..but I can do that b/c I efficiently finished my work early and have spare time! ) But seriously, I blame stupid people, Parkinson's Law, and the fact that people feel like if a solution is too obvious there might be a "catch." I work for a government institution so I know all about bureaucracy and inefficiency.
It drives me !