Why Does the Games Industry Seem So Dysfunctional?
Write here...If you take a look at video game industry at present, it isn’t exactly enjoying universally good PR. 2017 saw numerous damaging revelations such as the “loot box” debacle, several high-profile studios going to the wall (and not just because of financial mismanagement), and more recently there have been serious allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within several high-profile studios. Despite being a “modern” industry it seems to have all the flaws of those that have existed for centuries with respect to abuses of power and financial skulduggery. This raises the question "why does this industry seem so dysfunctional?" Just because gaming is a multi-billion-dollar business we naturally assume that successful companies are efficiently run, by competent captains of industry as well as skilled and professional staff. It is therefore confusing when this illusion is shattered due to evidence to the contrary. This begs the question, why do these institutions so often have metaphorical feet of clay?
If you take a look at video game industry at present, it isn’t exactly enjoying universally good PR. 2017 saw numerous damaging revelations such as the “loot box” debacle, several high-profile studios going to the wall (and not just because of financial mismanagement), and more recently there have been serious allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within several high-profile studios. Despite being a “modern” industry it seems to have all the flaws of those that have existed for centuries with respect to abuses of power and financial skulduggery. This raises the question "why does this industry seem so dysfunctional?" Just because gaming is a multi-billion-dollar business we naturally assume that successful companies are efficiently run, by competent captains of industry as well as skilled and professional staff. It is therefore confusing when this illusion is shattered due to evidence to the contrary. This begs the question, why do these institutions so often have metaphorical feet of clay?
To start let me declare my own background as my own experiences are relevant to this discussion. I have worked in IT for over twenty-five years in both the private and public sector. I started in first line support and worked my way up to running my own consultancy, from which I retired in 2016. I have worked for companies such as HP, Symbian and government departments such as the NHS as well as the DWP. I have been directly involved in several national projects, some of which have been successful while others have failed miserably. None of these situations are identical to the gaming industry, but I believe there are a lot of similarities between the way big businesses work and make decisions. I also read a lot about the gaming industry and at times find it a lot more interesting than the actual products that they develop. This has often been the focus of our discussions here at Contains Moderate Peril both in posts and on the podcast. Therefore, when I read stories about the iniquities of the gaming industry, I often view them through the prism of business, rather than fandom.
So, returning to the initial question of dysfunction, I would argue that the gaming industry is no different from any other major business or governmental entity. Politics, big business and the entertainment industry are as equally rife with the same problems you will find with smaller employers. In fact, I think a lot of people would be surprised at the similarities. Both ends of the spectrum have issues with under qualified staff, office politics, feedback loops, laziness and that social phenomenon that is “square pegs in round holes”. The latter group seems to be subject to a quota system that no company is excused from. Despite rigorous recruitment processes, there always seem to be a small percentage of wildcards that somehow seem to slip through the intense screening. Or alternatively, we later discover that the screening isn’t that thorough to begin with. Then of course there is the Dunning-Kruger effect which impacts on all social groups both in and outside of business. It is possibly one of the commonest problems of our time.
The problem is that the general public erroneously assumes that successful big companies have gained their status through efficiency and vision; that their internal business structure is a model of the best methodologies and practises. Sadly, this is often not the case. Corporations suffer from the same flaws as smaller enterprises but have the advantage of monopolies, more effective marketing and sheer momentum due to their monolithic size. Then there is of course the concept of being "too big to fail". Often a major business will be granted a lot more leeway by during difficult times because of their overall potential. Creative accounting is also a factor, as having a legion of financial experts and financiers at your beck and call, means that you can present a positive financial image, whether there is one or not. Smaller companies cannot hide behind such smokes screens as easily.
As consumers, need to take a lot of people and companies off the pedestals on which we've been placed them. This is especially relevant to gamers where the cult of personality and brand loyalty still hold sway. We also have to make a clear distinction between the creative staff within a business and those in senior management. One group may well care more for the end product, while the other has a totally different agenda and more financially orientated goals. It is also prudent to consider the issue of size. I have found that the successful management of people decreases exponentially as the size of that group grows. There is also a wealth of data available on all the inherent flaws of managing staff via a traditional business hierarchy. Ironically, a lot of the attributes that are encouraged to be successful in modern business, actually seem contrary to the moral and ethical behaviour we expect in a civilised society. It is this paradox that seems to be the Achilles heel of all business, regardless of their nature or size.
So next time we find ourselves surprised by some example of big business making bad decisions, take a moment to reflect upon the following. The launch of “New Coke” in 1985, Kodak’s failure to market digital cameras despite being a leader in its development, and Blockbusters rejection of a buyout by Netflix in 2000. In light of these, it is hardly surprising when you discover that the developer of your favourite MMO has clumsily handled a PR situation, or not listened to player feedback. It’s not gaming as an industry that is dysfunctional per se, but the fact that so many gamers have a skewed perspective of it. We make judgements with our hearts and fail to use whatever sense of business acumen we may have. We also tend to romanticise certain jobs because the end product is “cool”. Yet, if you visited a game developer’s offices, you’d probably find a work environment not that different from your own. Staff are more than likely grumbling about pay, the failings of the boss and Tim in HR. Ultimately it is that random human factor that breeds dysfunction, so it is inevitable that it spreads everywhere. So why should the games industry be any different?
Fix or Replace?
I was sitting at my desk on Sunday afternoon, diligently typing away at a blog post, when I heard an audible hiss and then felt my seat slowly descending. The gas lift piston in my office chair had broken after just 18 months of use. Now I don’t consider myself to be overweight (I’m 5′ 11″ and weigh 178 lbs) so, I put this event down to mechanical failure rather than an excessive load. Either way I was left with a chair that was too low down and not fit for purpose. I’m a big advocate of ensuring that your workspace is user friendly and conforms to health and safety standards. If you don’t have an appropriate chair you can seriously damage your health. So, I decided to look for a replacement chair online and soon discovered that there’s a wealth of choice. Prices range between £25 and £300. But the thing is, I like my current chair. It’s nothing fancy but it’s comfortable. Furthermore, it’s a good size for my office which isn’t especially large. So, I decided to see if fixing the chair was a viable option instead.
I was sitting at my desk on Sunday afternoon, diligently typing away at a blog post, when I heard an audible hiss and then felt my seat slowly descending. The gas lift piston in my office chair had broken after just 18 months of use. Now I don’t consider myself to be overweight (I’m 5′ 11″ and weigh 178 lbs) so, I put this event down to mechanical failure rather than an excessive load. Either way I was left with a chair that was too low down and not fit for purpose. I’m a big advocate of ensuring that your workspace is user friendly and conforms to health and safety standards. If you don’t have an appropriate chair you can seriously damage your health. So, I decided to look for a replacement chair online and soon discovered that there’s a wealth of choice. Prices range between £25 and £300. But the thing is, I like my current chair. It’s nothing fancy but it’s comfortable. Furthermore, it’s a good size for my office which isn’t especially large. So, I decided to see if fixing the chair was a viable option instead.
A little research showed that gas lift pistons are fairly generic, and I soon found a replacement that had the right dimensions. So, I bought it via Amazon Prime and it arrived this morning. Now I’m not big on DIY and I usually get professionals in to do any jobs around the house. However, I put this chair together when I bought it is 2016, and therefore new that the gas lift piston could be swapped out. So, to cut a long story short I made the change this afternoon when the replacement part arrived. I had to use a bench vice and a Birmingham Screwdriver to get the broken gas lift piston out of the seat fitting, but beyond this there were no major problems. Needless to say, the chair has now been fixed for the princely sum of £10.95 which is very reasonable. I can also add that I’m currently typing this post with a smug, self-satisfied look on my face, as I usually just replace most items whenever they break, fail or wear out. Which then provides a convenient stepping stone into a broader point about “replacement culture”.
Pretty much all consumer products are designed to be replaced these days, rather than repaired. A new printer costs less than a pack of ink cartridges. Socks from Primark are so cheap they can be effectively thrown away after use, if you are feeling profligate. If your washing machine or fridge fails these days, not many people have warranty cover. More often than not, rather than have an engineer diagnose the fault and order parts, it’s quicker and more convenient to simply buy a new one and have it delivered. The last three decades has seen a fall in prices of “white goods” which has lead to a change in consumer attitudes. A new fridge, vacuum or iron where expensive purchases in the seventies and built to last. Furthermore, labour saving gadgets were maintained to extend their lifespan. I can remember my Father machining spare parts for household items such as the washing machine, during my youth. Colour televisions were so costly, there was a booming rental industry. However, manufacturing has slowly become automated and as a result costs have fallen. A TV is now a disposable item, rather than your prize home possession.
The fast pace of technological change has lead to not only a fall in prices but the growth of upgrade culture. We are encouraged to replace perfectly viable and functional items with newer ones, simply because they offer alleged improved functionality. In many respects a lot of consumer items are now subject to the same whims and foibles of the fashion industry. Certain products are equated with wealth, opulence and success so consumers are “compelled” to ensure that they have the latest and “best”, to assuage their existential angst. Frankly are relationship with purchasing goods is now as broken as our relationship with food. However, as small and insignificant as it may be, I am pleased with my decision to fix my chair today. It proves a point that we don’t always have to simply buy more stuff. On a serious note our current consumer habits are unsustainable, and something will have to give sooner or later. I suspect in the years to come we might well see a return to getting things fixed. So perhaps it’s wise to get into the habit now.
Ambiguous Language
I have both a love and fascination for the English language. I enjoy both its formality and informality, its diversity, as well as its inherent evolutionary nature. To my mind having a wide vocabulary is an invaluable social and intellectual skill as well as being essential to self-expression. How can you mean what you say if you cannot say what you mean? So, when confronted by contemporary phrases such as “milkshake duck”, rather than balk at them, I strive to understand them. Language is not immutably, set by the parameters and standards of when you learnt it. If you endeavour to grasp the subtleties of popular culture along with slang from different socio-economic groups, communication becomes so much easier. The English Language is beautifully malleable and offers different modes for different situations. I therefore choose a specific manner of speech depending on who I’m talking to.
I have both a love and fascination for the English language. I enjoy both its formality and informality, its diversity, as well as its inherent evolutionary nature. To my mind having a wide vocabulary is an invaluable social and intellectual skill as well as being essential to self-expression. How can you mean what you say if you cannot say what you mean? So, when confronted by contemporary phrases such as “milkshake duck”, rather than balk at them, I strive to understand them. Language is not immutably, set by the parameters and standards of when you learnt it. If you endeavour to grasp the subtleties of popular culture along with slang from different socio-economic groups, communication becomes so much easier. The English Language is beautifully malleable and offers different modes for different situations. I therefore choose a specific manner of speech depending on who I’m talking to.
Political language is a very specific subset of English and has been designed to serve a very exacting purpose. In recent years honesty and intellectual rigour has slowly evaporated from the terms used by politicians and political discourse reflects the current prevailing mindset. Hence politicians will often use terms that are deliberately ambiguous. It happens so often now that we tend to ignore it, but sadly these terms frequently have a major impact upon the course of the national conversation, so perhaps we should be less forgiving. I would like to highlight a few of these terms that are frequently bandied about, that I find especially egregious. They’re often predicated on something that is unquantifiable or an idea or concept for which there is no real standard or universally accepted definition. Hence they’re used by the political classes as a means to maintain plausible deniability if things do not go the way they’d like.
So first off, we have the increasingly politicised term “hardworking”. This a real crowd pleaser as most people will claim to be such, whether they are or not. Politicians like it because it can be used as a non-specific compliment and its very flexible. It can be employed when visiting a factory as a means of ingratiating one’s self with the working classes. It can also be bandied about at the Mansion House Speech as a means to defend substantive pay awards to captains of industry. Yet it is ultimately a subjective term, which is impossible to quantify and measure. Who exactly works harder; someone on the checkout at Sainsbury’s or an Investment Manager at Morgan Stanley? A network administrator or a midwife. A You Tube personality or a carer for the elderly? Furthermore, if you try to debate the definition of the term, it can all get reminiscent of the Four Yorkshireman sketch. “Hardworking” therefore exemplifies the pointless terms bandied about by the worst sort of politicians, bandwagon jumpers and tub thumpers.
Another phrase which is very popular at the moment is the nebulous “British values”. At first glance it is supposed to bring to mind a set of noble principles and notions that are inherent to the UK. According to Ofsted these are as follow. Democracy. The rule of law. Individual liberty. Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith. Yet surely these are not unique to the UK alone and are the foundation of all western democracies? It seems somewhat arrogant to claim these are uniquely British traits. However, when taken in a wider context, “British values” too often refers to nationalism, a sense of cultural superiority and sadly worse. Conversely, other definitions may well be free from xenophobia but can still be couched in nostalgic terms. British history and culture is somewhat unique and in many ways, we as a nation seem to lack the means to view it objectively. As a nation we are living in it, looking out, rather than vice versa. “British values” however honestly intended seems to be the phrase of choice by those who aren’t.
Other phrases of this idiom that occur frequently, are “silent majority”, “common sense” and “elite”. Although all have a specific meaning, these terms are often used in situations where that definition is distorted or not wholly applicable. Often these words are substitutes for others that would paint a different picture and are employed to obfuscate. “Silent majority” is an impossible thing to qualify and prove. It is often invoked to try and imply a wider degree of backing or support. “Common sense” is a wonderful way of bypassing the logistical and legal complexities of a matter. It’s a phrase designed to mitigate detail. And “elite” is a word that is fast being devalued, frequently being employed as a pejorative term for any group or body that holds a contrary opinion to the one being espoused. Furthermore, it is often used by those who are part of an elite group of their own, who think that by using the term they somehow remove themselves from the paradox they have created.
There are many more examples of this sort of linguistic duplicity that is used every day in the UK by the tabloid press, politicians and parts of the professional commentariat. The sad reality is that its daily use adds to the ongoing trivialisation and partisan debasement of politics as well as other forms of public discourse. This is why it is so important to ensure that schools teach a robust and broad understanding of the English language. Not just the traditional grammatical rules and structure but an understanding of evolution of language and how words can be used as a more than a functional tool. Public speaking and debate requires not only critical thinking and reasoning skills but a diverse vocabulary. Hence, I encourage everyone to never pass up the opportunity to learn new words. If someone uses one that you’re not familiar with there is no shame in asking its definition. As Benjamin Franklin said, “without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning”.
Delivery Culture
Yesterday being a bank holiday, we decided to slum it and go to McDonalds. We toyed with the idea of ordering via my phone and having a home delivery, but this would incur an additional £5 charge. So, we decided to drive to our local High Street and get a takeaway. Now for those who haven’t been to McDonalds for a while, there are now separate order and collection points in the “restaurant”. If you especially despise human interaction you can use one of the touch screens to order and pay. I guess the older system where food was pre-prepared in anticipation of purchase proved too wasteful. Who can say? Whatever the reason, serving the needs of the customer was probably the last consideration. But I digress. I duly made my order then tried to stand in a place where I didn’t obstruct other customers and waited for my order to be prepared. There’s a large information screen above the collection counter so you can track your order number which is printed on your till receipt.
Yesterday being a bank holiday, we decided to slum it and go to McDonalds. We toyed with the idea of ordering via my phone and having a home delivery, but this would incur an additional £5 charge. So, we decided to drive to our local High Street and get a takeaway. Now for those who haven’t been to McDonalds for a while, there are now separate order and collection points in the “restaurant”. If you especially despise human interaction you can use one of the touch screens to order and pay. I guess the older system where food was pre-prepared in anticipation of purchase proved too wasteful. Who can say? Whatever the reason, serving the needs of the customer was probably the last consideration. But I digress. I duly made my order then tried to stand in a place where I didn’t obstruct other customers and waited for my order to be prepared. There’s a large information screen above the collection counter so you can track your order number which is printed on your till receipt.
It took 12 minutes to prepare my food from scratch, which I considered reasonable as it was very busy. Not all felt so accommodating. However, it should be noted that two thirds of those waiting for their orders where not customers but delivery drivers. All of whom were dressed accordingly for driving mopeds and other sundry velocipedes. Although all seemed to be amicable individuals, their bulky attire and restricted vision due to their helmets, meant they often got under each other’s and everyone else’s feet. I also noticed on the information screen that online orders had a different identifying code. Furthermore, it appeared to me that these orders were being given priority, as they tended to be far larger in quantity. I’m sure I wasn’t the only customer to deduce all this, given the grumbling by some of the waiting. Again, although this system may work well for the staff both cooking and serving, I remain sceptical of it’s merits from a bog-standard customer perspective.
Spot the online orders
Now this anecdote is a segue into a wider point about delivery culture as this post is not exclusively about the iniquities of McDonalds in the UK. On demand culture is everywhere these days. If it can be sold and physically transported, then retailers will offer to bring it to your door. Due to recent family illness, I too have availed myself of these services. In 2017, I don’t think a week went by without an Amazon, Argos or grocery delivery of some kind arriving. If you want it now, then you can effectively have it now. But like any cultural change there are consequences and knock on effects. Traffic and therefore pollution levels in Greater London are on the rise, despite regulation of vehicle emissions and legislation such as the congestion charge. The sheer number of vehicles on the road is growing, rapidly. Department for Transport figures show the number of delivery vehicles registered in the capital rose by 12 per cent in the last decade, partly driven by internet shopping. Last year, around 7,300 entered the capital every hour during the morning rush-hour.
The Bringer of Gin...
At the moment, a perfect storm of economic factors has made delivery culture both viable and marketable. Fuel prices have dropped and until recently, low interest rates and inflation have buoyed consumer spending. Need I drone on about the shift in our culture towards the commodification of everything and happiness through consumerism? But there is scope for the financial stability of the UK to change in 2018 and it is not impossible to conceived of operating costs increasing to a point where delivery culture no longer remains cheap and accessible to all. Potentially, something that is currently a universal convenience, could end up becoming yet another indicator of the divide between the haves and have nots. Then there are other aspects of this phenomenon to consider. Home deliveries are a contributory factor to the ongoing slow death of the local high street. Online retail is killing local businesses. Furthermore, not going to the shops is yet another nail in the coffin of the populations general health and wellbeing.
This post initially stemmed from a simple observation made from day-to-day life. Perhaps it is my age and my increasing awareness that I’ve seen so much change during my lifetime, that makes me ponder on such matters. Like many issues, the more you dwell upon it, the more convoluted the matter becomes. As I write I’ve just been struck by the irony of a McDonald’s home delivery. Fast food, which for years has been labelled the ruination of a country’s health, is now being brought to your very front door, thus negating the small health benefits brought about by going to the “restaurant” in person. As for delivery culture, I suspect it is ultimately both economically and environmentally unsustainable. I wonder what will happen when it becomes unavailable to certain parts of society? How well will such a change be received? If there are indeed, major economic problems ahead, will there be a time when home delivery couriers become the target of increased crime? Only time will tell. I hate to end the post here, with so many unanswered questions but I have to go. You see I’m expecting a delivery later.
The Peril of Leaving Comments
I recently decided to try and comment more on websites and blogs, mainly in a shameless attempt to raise my own writing profile. I live in hope that people will be enamoured with my “puckish epigrams” and follow the breadcrumb trail back here. However, leaving comments takes time because I cannot just post a few succinct words. I always end up typing several paragraphs because brevity often leads to a point being misconstrued. We do after all live in an age where people actively look for offense regardless of whether it’s there or not. However, I digress. What I enjoy about leaving comments on blog posts and website articles, is the chance to exchange ideas and to riff off other people. I also find that by marshalling my thoughts and leaving a comment elsewhere, it can lead to me subsequently expanding on those ideas and developing them into a blog post for Contains Moderate Peril. So overall, I advocate leaving comments and feedback.
I recently decided to try and comment more on websites and blogs, mainly in a shameless attempt to raise my own writing profile. I live in hope that people will be enamoured with my “puckish epigrams” and follow the breadcrumb trail back here. However, leaving comments takes time because I cannot just post a few succinct words. I always end up typing several paragraphs because brevity often leads to a point being misconstrued. We do after all live in an age where people actively look for offense regardless of whether it’s there or not. However, I digress. What I enjoy about leaving comments on blog posts and website articles, is the chance to exchange ideas and to riff off other people. I also find that by marshalling my thoughts and leaving a comment elsewhere, it can lead to me subsequently expanding on those ideas and developing them into a blog post for Contains Moderate Peril. So overall, I advocate leaving comments and feedback.
And of course, as you’ve probably guessed, the previous statement comes with a caveat. Actually, it’s probably not so much of a caveat but more of an element of risk. That being that you have absolutely no control over what happens next. Allow me to give you an example. Earlier in the week, there was a post over at Massively Overpowered regarding how Disney forced EA to temporarily disable the lootboxes in Star Wars Battlefront II. I left a comment to the effect that it was a positive result and that at least we as gamers knew what to do in the future. IE Complain to the licence holder and not just the developer. Use a company’s PR vanity against them. I then ended the comment with a throw away remark about how we needed to figure out exactly what we all wanted. Because there isn’t a “universal dream”. Gamers are a bit like the Judean People’s Front versus the People’s Front of Judea.
What followed next in a way proved my point. Another gamer directly replied with a few ideas regarding the “universal dream”. “Not to be exploited by corrupt and greedy corporations; Not to be physiologically programmed into degenerate gamblers; not to have communist/SJW re-education and propaganda corrupting our games and media. I am sure you can add a few things to this dream list but it’s a start”. Well yes, I do indeed have a few things to add and more importantly, a lot to remove. Like 90% of what they said. The only thing I broadly agree with is there first point, although I wouldn’t couch it in such hyperbolic language. I think EA’s lootbox system is crass and the fact they had the gall to try it, is mildly insulting. However, the rest of the views stated are simply ill conceived and reek of tabloid journalism and the associated mindset. I could have replied but suspected it would lead to on of those circular conversations that achieves nothing other than the raising of blood pressure and an unnecessary expenditure of energy.
This minor event reminded me of a similar situation I had a few years ago while I was waiting for a bus. A random stranger joined me at the bus stop and a brief exchange of words was had regarding the approximate time of the next bus. Then suddenly, out of know where, the guy blurted out a few derogatory comments about a specific ethnic group. It wasn’t a crazy tirade. Just a few sentences, said in a calm and measured way but still overtly racist. I remember at the time thinking, where the hell did that come from and then getting really angry because there was this inherent assumption in his confidence to make such comments, that I too was a bigot. Furthermore, when considering both these anecdotes about random left field statements, I worry that there’s a risk that you can get inadvertently tarred with the “crazy” brush in such situations. Stupidity splash damage is one way to describe it.
Once again, an old adage has proven true. No good deed goes unpunished. Except I’m not sure if I can really define me leaving a comment on a website as a good deed but hey, most analogies don’t stand up to close scrutiny. Guess this is similar to the recent discussion a few of us bloggers had on twitter about how the articles you feel are your best don’t garner the traffic you’d like and that disposable posts can sometimes break big. Similarly, a comment you feel strongly about may only get a reply from some random crazy person and a glib remark can be perceived as being more than the sum of its parts and deeply insightful. I guess both of these first world, social media “dilemmas” are a direct result of daring to interact with other sentient, carbon based life forms. It’s an activity that always comes with an element of risk.
Black Friday
I have been subject to a continual barrage of emails over the course of the week, promoting Black Friday sales. These have covered everything from power tools to medical supplies, children’s toys and even granite work surfaces. Obviously. there’s also been a lot of promotions for discount games. This eclectic mix reflects the fact that I use my online accounts to purchase items for my entire family. I hate to think what the various analysts and number crunchers make of this. My Amazon recommendations includes both urine bottles and Thomas the Tank Engine paraphernalia. But I digress, I’m sure pretty much all of us have been battered around the head and shoulders this week by various kinds of unsubtle marketing. However, I am happy to report that I have not succumbed to this “encouragement”. The simple fact is that I don’t need anything at present so have bought nothing. Furthermore, I had an epiphany nearly two decades ago, when I discovered that buying stuff really doesn’t make you feel any better, solve any of your problems or fulfil any of the inferred promises of the advertisements.
I have been subject to a continual barrage of emails over the course of the week, promoting Black Friday sales. These have covered everything from power tools to medical supplies, children’s toys and even granite work surfaces. Obviously. there’s also been a lot of promotions for discount games. This eclectic mix reflects the fact that I use my online accounts to purchase items for my entire family. I hate to think what the various analysts and number crunchers make of this. My Amazon recommendations includes both urine bottles and Thomas the Tank Engine paraphernalia. But I digress, I’m sure pretty much all of us have been battered around the head and shoulders this week by various kinds of unsubtle marketing. However, I am happy to report that I have not succumbed to this “encouragement”. The simple fact is that I don’t need anything at present so have bought nothing. Furthermore, I had an epiphany nearly two decades ago, when I discovered that buying stuff really doesn’t make you feel any better, solve any of your problems or fulfil any of the inferred promises of the advertisements.
Economically speaking, the Black Friday pre-Christmas sales have become increasingly important to retailers and in the UK are a big indicator of consumer confidence and a litmus test of how well the public feel the country is fairing. So far from the numbers that have filtered through today, it would appear that spending is up 6% over last year. But before we put out the bunting and shout “Yay for the UK economy”, let’s temper our enthusiasm with the fact that consumer debt (mainly unsecured loans via credit cards) is currently £200 billion. That’s for a country with a population of 65 million. And at a time when interest rates are finally rising after a decade. Oh, and let’s not forget that minor political and economic event known colloquially as BREXIT. That may also have a bearing on the situation with regard to the value of the pound, the cost of living and future consumer borrowing.
If you take time to reflect upon the big picture, it’s a very sorry state of affairs. We live in a society where many are trapped in low paid jobs with little chance of opportunity or improvement. Many are deeply unhappy with what they do for a living and see little chance of life getting any better due to a decline in social mobility. Social media has lifted the scales from the public eyes and the divisions between the haves and the have nots are laid bare. The country currently bitterly divided and rational thought is in retreat. The decline in institutions such as the church, along with a waning of a sense of community has resulted in a nation of “individuals” desperately trying to assuage their personal sadness through retail therapy. It’s a recipe for disaster and 2018 is potentially the year when the proverbial chickens come home to roost. I am not optimistic that things are going to get better soon, nor do I have faith in any politicians to fix these problems. But hey, that was a sweat deal you got on an electric haemorrhoid massager.
The Complexity of Socialising
A couple of things have prompted the train of thought that is the basis of this post. The first was the recent BBC television documentary by Chris Packham about autism and how it has shaped his life. The second was a post over at Massively Overpowered regarding “playing alone together”. The reader comments ended up becoming a discussion of the old “introverts versus extroverts” debate. Both of these have got me thinking about the complexity of social interaction and the stress it may or may not cause to various individuals. Social skills and group dynamics are things we learn through osmosis. The prevailing culture allegedly shapes us, yet precious little is taught formally. Our parents have an impact at the beginning of our lives but then we find ourselves at school for the lion share of the day, trying to get along with a wide variety of differing personalities. Simply put, socialising is complex and to be successful at it by societies standards, requires a very specific set of skills.
Courtesy of Socially Awkward Misfit
A couple of things have prompted the train of thought that is the basis of this post. The first was the recent BBC television documentary by Chris Packham about autism and how it has shaped his life. The second was a post over at Massively Overpowered regarding “playing alone together”. The reader comments ended up becoming a discussion of the old “introverts versus extroverts” debate. Both of these have got me thinking about the complexity of social interaction and the stress it may or may not cause to various individuals. Social skills and group dynamics are things we learn through osmosis. The prevailing culture allegedly shapes us, yet precious little is taught formally. Our parents have an impact at the beginning of our lives but then we find ourselves at school for the lion share of the day, trying to get along with a wide variety of differing personalities. Simply put, socialising is complex and to be successful at it by societies standards, requires a very specific set of skills.
When addressing a topic such as this, the first question I had to seriously ask myself was the most obvious. Do I consider myself an introvert or an extrovert? As most regular readers know, I’m not a fan of binary choices when it comes to complex questions. There have been times in my life when I have veered from one extreme to the other. As a teenager, I was the clown of my peer group. I thought it would resolve a lot of issues although all it really did was paint me into a corner. It was not until my thirties that I truly found my social confidence. This mainly came about through working in a field that I enjoyed and felt comfortable in. I also learned how to become a more effective public speaker. Having children also forces you to deal with things and step outside of your comfort zone. However, despite improving my social skills there are still many scenarios and situations I’m not good at. Talking about sport and dancing in public are two that spring to mind. I’m also not a big on “hugging”. But the fact remains, I can be social and deal with such situations. For me, the key to success lies in picking and choosing how and where I do it.
Writing is a form of communication and social interaction that I especially enjoy. Mainly because it’s a medium that a lot easier to manage, rather than a face to face Conversation. I am also confident when it comes to podcasting, for similar reasons. I tend to record with people whose company I enjoy and know quite well. However, despite our best efforts none of us gets to deal with life exclusively on our own terms. Especially if you’re in a relationship, as you have to make concessions to social situations. For example, I have a wedding coming up in December. I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to it. It’s not a case of I’m bad in these sorts of social situations. It’s a case of I don’t care for them. It’s not as if my presence is essential to the success of proceedings, plus I really don’t dig small talk and the low-key conversation it is best to pursue at these events. It probably sounds a terrible thing to say but these situations bore me. I appreciate that very few people are raconteurs of the calibre of Stephen Fry, Peter Ustinov and Michael Winner. I don’t expect that. I just feel that it would be a far better use of my time if I applied it to something productive, rather than some pointless social banter with strangers.
After watching the aforementioned documentary about autism, I raised the question as to whether I was possibly on the spectrum with my significant other, due to some of my personality foibles. I meant the question genuinely and was certainly not making light of such medical conditions. She said that it was unlikely that I was, because I could cope with all the social things that Chris Packham can’t. The difference was where he is incapable, I am simply unwilling due to my “personality”. So, it would appear that I have no diagnosable conditions that affects my behaviour. I am merely a curmudgeonly git. She further added that despite my reticence to be social and participate in events of that nature, I was very much a product of my generation and broadly culturally conditioned not to be rude. Hence, I do grudgingly participate. On mature reflection I conceded that this is indeed true. However, that doesn’t alter the fact that if I could avoid the entire wedding scenario I would.
Overall, I believe the reality is that I’m neither introvert nor extrovert but somewhere in the middle. I enjoy the company of handpicked friends and when the mood suits, can be quite gregarious. I am also comfortable when left alone. I don’t mind my own company. I guess what I balk at, when considering the wider discussion around this topic, is the usual binary viewpoints. Introversion should not be seen as something that needs to be fixed, especially by extroverts. I believe everyone is somewhere on a scale between those two positions and chooses to deal with the world on their own terms. As for extroverts, they can be a very positive force for good in life. They can often provide a rallying point through the strength of their personalities, be supportive individuals and be good representatives for causes and charities. But they can also be extremely wearing and tedious people, taking up all the oxygen in any given social space. We need as a society to shift the focus away from these two extremes and encourage an understanding of all personality types as well as a recognition that socialising isn’t governed by two approaches.
