09/02/99

1) The myths about poverty are:

welfare dependency the poor are on and are dependant on welfare but this is not the case. Most poor people are NOT on welfare. And in most cases welfare is not adequate enough to meet the needs of the poor. The greatest amount of government aid goes to wealthfare not welfare.

poor get special treatment this is obviously untrue, because as was stated above, the greatest amount of government aid goes to wealthfare.

refusal to work: this is not the case In fact a substantial amount of the poor work year round, whereas most worked at some point in the year. And yet, 18% of full time workers had salaries that were below the poverty line -for families of four- (most of these being women.)

most of the people one welfare are black this is totally untrue. Over 60% of the people on welfare are white. However, because of the larger number of whites than blacks in this country, 40% of the welfare pot and only 12% of the population, it seems like a substantial amount.

3) I won't dwell on this too much since I have another 10 pages on the subject. In brief, McDonaldization is the process by which corporations "streamline" their practices in the name of Efficiency, Predictability, Calculability, and Control. Although some may argue that substitution of non-human technology is the fifth dimension of McDonaldization, it is too closely related with Control.

Efficiency relates to getting the most profit for least work put in. Even though it is tossed about by the companies as being efficient to the consumer, this is usually not the case.

Calculability relates to the ability to quantify anything and everything. Take, for example, bigger is better, or 2-for-1, or large department stores, or even multi screen cinemas.

Predictability relates to the ability to have cookie cutter output/versions of everything. The concept is not to surprise the customer, and eventually gain greater control.

Control relates to the ability to harness those `uncertainties' which supposedly disallow efficiency, calculability and predictability by replacement of humans with technology.

The Irrationality of all of this is the simple fact that despite all that these corporations tout with their rationality, the absolute opposite happens. For example, long lines at ATM machines, except that now you are doing all of the work. The dehumanisation involved with restricting skill/creativity by controlling employees. The loss of quality with quantity. The dulling of society by making everything look the same. Scripted human interaction etc...

5) Sennet says that the "old work ethic" involved is one of loyalty. People would work with and stick with one company for long periods of time. This taught the individual loyalty and commitment. Now-a-days it's all about "teamwork" where people form brief alliances (everyone is a client) moving from place to place never really committing to anyone or anything. This has detrimental affects to your life outside of the workplace by taking "your work home with you" in that you apply this lack of commitment to such institutions as marriage.

6) The three interpretations were a. premeditated betrayal where the individuals thought that the company was indeed out to get them. They attempted to rationalise the company's actions by pointing out suspicious activities on or around the time of their dismissal. b) the global economy and the hiring of foreigners to do the work that they would do. c) The final interpretation of their situation was one on the company itself. How the company could have prevented all of this had they been able to adapt. Their talks turned towards the profession rather than blame shifting.