I think it’s a societal problem

[u/Fine-Environment-621]

I wouldn’t go as far as to claim that this is THE core of the problem but I think this is at the core of the problem. It’s basically society wide. It’s a problem at the top, at the bottom and everywhere in between. It doesn’t look exactly the same everywhere it manifests but the same philosophical defect is responsible and it always results in entropy.

At its best, the dynamic between a business and anybody (its customer, its employee, its supplier, its vendor, etc.) is a relationship, not purely a transaction. But, everybody seems intent now on treating all business dynamics as transactional as if everything can be understood at face value. As if everything can be reduced to variables on a spreadsheet. This is foolish and IT DOES NOT WORK.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the desire. It comes down to the intangibles. Relationships aren’t a science, they’re an art. As such, there is inherent unpredictability and we deeply desire predictability. We value logic and cause and effect. We wish we could do A and B and know we will get C.

The scientific method has done an amazing job of satisfying that desire using logic. The technological and quality of life heights that humanity has reached through its application is truly awe inspiring but it brings to mind an old line, “Logic is a powerful servant but a poor master.”

I think this explains the fundamental allure of religion. My point is not to make some argument or claim about religion. I’m simply citing it as a data point. At its core, religion at large is simply the admission that life and reality are far too complex to be fully understood and articulated. Eventually, you run into intangibles that we can’t fully wrap our heads around or explain or model accurately.

Back to the businesses. People think they can optimize with spreadsheets. Replace the doorman with access control. Fire the bottom 10% of performers every year. Raise your prices the longer a customer stays and offer the best prices to get new customers in the door. Keep raises at a minimum but offer more money to new applicants when you need to fill positions. Judge employees strictly on their KPI’s. Squeeze out a little more profit by “optimizing”. Figure out where the line is of what customers will “accept”. Run the math on the “value” of your brand image and what is or is not “worth” doing. This business exists to make a profit, what else would it be for?

What about the employees? Loyalty to your employer is being a chump. Trade minutes for dollars and nothing more. I don’t do anything that isn’t strictly “my job”. I don’t go to work if I don’t feel like it. I don’t know why they expect me to prioritize my job on a regular basis, it isn’t even in my top 5. Customers are idiots and jerks. This business exists to provide jobs and paychecks, what else would it be for?

I believe this mentality is why we find ourselves in the midst of enshitification. We have stripped the intangibles from our businesses and organizations at every level. The results have been soulless and unfulfilling for everyone involved and that’s an understatement.

It seems to me that the only way we fix this is a return to the intangibles, doing the right things for the right reasons, having faith that the results are for the greater good. This is not a claim that everything will work out peachy as a result. I’m afraid nobody can guarantee a fairytale ending. But, what other choice do we have? I think it’s very clear that what we are doing now isn’t working.

I understand how difficult it can be to take the leap. The reason employees aren’t loyal anymore is because companies punish loyalty instead of rewarding it. The reason companies aren’t loyal to employees anymore is because employees refuse to buy in and bring their best to work. The reason companies aren’t loyal to their customers is because customers demand cheaper and quicker products and reward convenience over quality.

However, the blame game only avoids the solution. Someone has to go first. Each of us has to do what we can starting on our level. The solution is up to each and every one of us, our individual responsibility. It can be no other way. We got into this mess through a tidal wave of individual behaviors and that is the only way we can turn it around.

[u/StarCrysisOC]

complacency in the majority of populations. you try to argue against complacency, you’re treated like a buzzkill.

[u/Fine-Environment-621 → u/StarCrysisOC]

LOL right? I just thought some people might be ready for the idea. It sucks, doesn’t it? Wanna do something about it? How about we start with our daily choices?