Re: Ever wonder why techwhirler lives seem so crazy?

[Andrew Plato <intrepid_es -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

"Hart, Geoff" wrote...

> You can argue with any statistics, of course, but it's safe to assume that
> they're broadly valid even if the details are arguable: lots of folks don't
> plan well or at all, and their projects often fail. It seems to me that this
> presents a pretty good picture of why so many of us encounter chaos on the
> job, and that any newcomers to the field should be aware of these stats so
> they'll know what to expect at their first job: a 72% chance (or "a large
> chance" if you don't buy the actual percentage) that they'll be dumped right
> into a chaotic situation and have to learn fast how to cope.

I have heard very similar statistcs. And having worked in consulting now for
almost 10 years, you come to realize that chaos is a natural and extremely
common thing. The thing that is most fascinating about chaos is how people
react to it. Some people are just not ready for chaotic environments no matter
how educated or skilled they are. Likewise, some people, like myself, thrive in
chaos almost to the point of disliking the alternative - order. 

Chaos gets a really bad rap in many circles, and that is unfortunate. Chaos can
be a very good thing. Chaotic environments can be very creative. Generally new
things come from chaos, not from order. 

> In such a context, Andrew Plato's advice in such situations (forget about
> "procedure" and figure out how to cope with chaos well enough to get the job
> done) seems far more relevant than Joann Hackos' more theoretical approach
> ("procedure" can get you through any situation). Yes, I do disagree with
> Andrew fairly often and fairly strenuously, most notably about STC, but that
> doesn't detract whatsoever from the value of his broader advice on surviving
> in our line of work.

Hackos book contains a lot of interesting ideas that are more like goals that
anything really usable. I have seen at least a dozen or more tech pubs
organizations strive very hard to implement a lot of her ideas only to have
their organization torn to shreads by layoffs or corporate restructuring, once
again plunging those people back into chaos. 

Incidentally...I love this quote Geoff. 

> "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is
> noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience,
> which is the bitterest."--Confucius, philosopher and teacher (c. 551-478
> BCE)

I would rewrite Confucius wisdom for writers to be: 

"By three methods we may learn technical writing: First by education, which is
noblest; second by methodology, which is easiest; and third by planting your
butt in a chair and pecking out the damn document, which is the bitterest." -
Andrew Plato, raging dweeb.

Andrew Plato 

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