Today let’s consider some things a person could label as ‘odd.’

Here is my brief list:

1. the idea called ‘thinking outside the box.’

2. loud talkers on the phone.

3. interest in the life of celebrities

4. chanting ‘USA, USA’ at the Republican National Convention

First, to state the obvious; this list is in need of explanation and background. Second, it is by no means an exhaustive list. Indeed, I think I could come up with a list of four or five of these every few hours. Finally, I don’t for a minute think the list is without controversy, or a big disagreement, or complete apathy.

That should cover it.

Ok, now as far as an explanation and background…I’m not going to do that. After considering it, I have decided that I will forego that didactic lecture. First, it would come across as pedantic and aloof. I do enough of that already. And second, I am anxious to join my wife to watch a video of the movie Doomsday, which appears to contain exactly what we Americans look for in movies; gratuitous violence, it is completely ridiculous, and has broad swaths of implausibility. Should be great. Pass the popcorn.

Okay, let’s think ‘outside of the (popcorn) box.’

I think this is one of the single most goofy things people in business are fond of saying. Let me roll the imaginary audio reel…(imagine now some ‘leader’ cajoling the troops…)

“Ok people, let’s think outside of the box.”

I’m sure there have been some hilarious Dilbert strips on this one.

Just saying it implies that we spend a lot of time ‘in the box.’ Hmmm. Wouldn’t it be entertaining if a co-worker walked into the boss’ office and said something like…”mr. Jones, I have a confession to make. I have been thinking inside of the box all day. Sorry. I need to move it outside. And since it’s now after 2 pm, I am clocking in on the outside. Right now. I should come up with some strategic brilliance by 5.”

Furthermore, aren’t there some pretty big assumptions around that exhortation? Doesn’t it imply that others can recognize that kind of thinking? I don’t know about everyone else reading this post, but in my experience I have heard that request come mostly from people who were pretty much deaf, dumb and blind to anything remotely innovative.

Finally, be careful when you hear that request. True thinking outside the box usually means change. Change means shaking up the status quo. And the powers-that-be are affected by changes in the status quo. So, while they are the ones making the request, they are also the ones that may not like the notion of true change. This means they will ultimately define what thinking outside the box is. Again, in my experience the leaders don’t mean think outside the box. What they really mean is think inside the box, but find a different corner of that same box.

It’s kind of like re-packaging. Or lipstick on a pig.

One particularly memorable time I thought outside the box. I shared that thinking. And then I was kicked outside the box. I had to find a new box. No one said later that I had been caught thinking outside the box. They actually became uncharacteristically creative in describing what happened. As fiction goes, it was a nice effort. Nearly ‘out of the box’ in a sense.

The second item is loud talking, specifically on the phone.

First and foremost, it is annoying. And unnecessary. One could say impolite.

I don’t understand this behavior. And then I get really confused when these same loud talkers go into a whisper mode, which signals everyone within earshot (quite a distance with these folks) that something personal or embarrassing or otherwise untoward is now being discussed.

Wouldn’t these folks at this point, assuming they are still communicating successfully while whispering, say to themselves; “Hmmm…if they can hear me when I whisper, I probably don’t need to talk (shout?) at this crazy decibel level.

Interest in the lives of celebrities is proof to me that our country is in deep shit. Each visit to the grocery store is a reminder that future anthropologists will be shaking their heads at the remnants of this vacuous and empty aspect of our culture. There they are at the check-outs; barricades of printed banality that grocery shoppers are only too happy to scoop up and scour for….whatever it is consumers of this crap get out of it.

Can anyone tell me why they care about the lives of Britney Spears or Paris Hilton or Nicole Richey? Or however you spell her name. Or that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie adopted some kid? Why is this interesting? Why do I care about how some celebrity looks in their swimsuit? Is this helpful at cocktail parties? Are people preparing for some pop culture category on Jeopardy? Does this satisfy some kind of voyeurism? Are people jealous? Is this the American equivalent to Britains apparent obsession with their royalty?

These are serious questions about something that seems not to be at all serious. Seriously.

I have noticed that people like to distance themselves from this consumption. Nobody that I have run into wants to admit they just plain like it. Usually there is a reluctance about it. People are apologetic, saying things like ‘oh I just pick one up sometimes. I like the fashion pictures. I know it’s rubbish.’

I don’t know anybody who subscribes. If anyone reading this blog knows of or has seen this creature, please send me the information.

I have questions.

Ok, this last one is weird. At the Republican National Convention I witnessed grown adults chanting “USA, USA.”

Now, I can see this happening at a USA vs Russia hockey game. Or something like the Ryder Cup. These are competitive athletic events.

But at an event with no competitors? Huh?

What is the point? Patriotism? If so, to what end? To demonstrate that to the rest of the world?

I’m sure that impresses them.

To demonstrate Republicans are more patriotic than Democrats?

And just how does that prove it is so?

What is the point?

Now, I don’t want this to appear partisan in any way. I am addressing a specific behavior. In future posts I will pick on the Democrats for some version of their goofiness.

But really, what is this all about?

Hmmm?