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September 05, 2008
Gumption traps: small problems that 'destroy enthusiasm and leave you so discouraged you want to forget the whole business' — Robert Pirsig
The author of the sui generis 1974 book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" had probably never used a computer when he made his observation but it describes perfectly the experience of trying out a new website or device only to run into a series of roadblocks that quickly sap your excitement and leave you discouraged and disgruntled about the whole thing.
Just spot-on, the term "gumption trap."
September 5, 2008 at 04:01 PM | Permalink
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Comments
There something strangely hypnotic about that little figure banging its head. Want to see him keep on doing it. I wonder if he too failed the etymology test...
Posted by: Miles | Sep 5, 2008 4:18:34 PM
Here, we just call this Management.
Posted by: clifyt | Sep 5, 2008 4:27:37 PM
Clifyt, Good one! :) Play nice though! I'm not management and had any management I work with taken this test, they would have scored 10 out of 10. However, they don't read this blog. Again play nice. Academics criticizing business doesn't work as you're not out there fighting the same good fight. Stick with poking fun at academics (another good fight!). That's far more personable :).
Posted by: DefinatelyCreativeEnough | Sep 5, 2008 10:25:40 PM
DCE -- you don't think there is any management going on in academics? It is ALL management (and then politics...which is just as bad).
Posted by: clifyt | Sep 6, 2008 12:14:23 AM
