Re: Of Mice and Morons

[Sandra Law <sandra -at- qmaster -dot- com>]

Mike Starr  wrote:

> I think I must tell someone at least once a week that the biggest part of
> my job is to be a professional "clueless idiot". I've always said that
> it's my job to anticipate all the really dumb things someone can do
> with/to the product I'm working on and to answer all the questions that a
> moron could possibly ask.

The same stance is taken when a cultural/social anthropologist enters an
organization or 'culture'.  In one of my incarnations I was an anthropologist.
I think what you're speaking of is being a participant observer of the
engineer/software developer culture, a role (that of participant observer) which
is sometimes comparable to that of the village idiot.  You haven't got a clue
(legitimately, haven't got a clue).  As a new entrant to the culture you don't
know the rules of the game, the lingo, or when you are stepping on the toes of
others.  In the process of learning to be a member of culture, you are supposed
to learn about the culture, it's rules, the lingo.  At the same time you are
expected to keep a critical distance from your subject(s).  Pretty mind bending.

The role of village idiot isn't a dishonorable one.  You may not get a lot of
respect, but neither did or do a lot of anthropologists.  They're curious about
the 'other' and that curiosity drives to them to involve themselves other
cultures/sub-cultures.  Be proud.

Sandra Law