Clark B. Montgomery M.Ed. Extension Cohort Project Writing Research March 1, 1999

"The G Files" Anonymous. (1999, February-March). Fast Company, 22, p. 230

Summary

"The G Files", according to the author, is episode twelve of a series of articles entitled Working Behind Enemy Lines. Written as a parody, the series is meant to relate the observations of a spy scrutinizing The New World of Work.

The G Files focuses on the plight of modern middle-management employees as faceless, gray, and boring individuals with no identity and little hope of attaining one. Termed "middle muddlement", they're described as the "millennium equivalent of Viking Oarsmen", sweating and faceless creatures that make the whole thing go. Then, once they've gotten the "boat" where it's supposed to be, nobody cares what happens to them. The article continues by subtly pointing out that employees new to middle management quickly lose whatever individuality they brought with them and soon become part of the nameless, sexless, colorless mass. In addition, they're kept in their place through promotion within, but not out of, middle management. Written as a first-person observation, the short article concludes with no analyze or rationalization of it's implications.

Reflection

On closer consideration of this clever and entertaining parody of the modern work world, an apprehension evolves that perhaps the article speaks more truth than not. Other than for a privileged few, it points out, we're all just cogs in the wheel and isn't that a distressing revelation. Once the alarm quits ringing and common sense begins to prevail, I had to ask myself, "Yes, but hasn't it always been that way". When humans first swung down from the trees and discovered that by working together life could be made easier, middle management was born. Isn't the idea of making life easier an aspiration most people have for themselves and their families? Doesn't meeting that goal require the combined efforts of managers, middle managers and workers? If that's true, even the privileged are "just" another part of the system. In reality, we're all just cogs in the wheel. Twenty-first century Americans are simply more affluent cogs than what's found in history or the rest of the modern world. Have we become so comfortable that we now devalue the means that put us here?

The majority of Americans can't remember a time when prosperity and creature comforts weren't the norm. It's only in this arena of affluence that its members have the privilege to suffer neurosis over lost work identity. Although that response may seem trivial, it is also predictable. For some people, if they have no real problems to cope with, they'll invent some. While much of the world worries about putting food on the table, the Fast Company crowd seeks counseling to cope with the idea of being stuck in a middle management position.

Reflecting on this modern day dilemma, the pop phrase "get a life" comes to mind. If this article is any reflection of thinking in the modern corporate world, then acting on that phrase might offer solution. For those affected, I would say there is life beyond work. There's family, community and personal interests just for starters. Speaking from personal experience, I may be stuck in a middle management role with little work identity, but I'm a big hit at home.

Discussion

In discussion with others, predominantly Extension peers, I found overall agreement with my thoughts. Probably the largest area of difference involved the extent to which this "middle muddlement" dilemma affects our society. I think it's fairly pervasive throughout the middle class - my peers do not. We do agree that the overall issue is manifested by personal values, and that those values may be (in reality) less personal as opposed to dictated, by a consumer driven society.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 1999