A commencement thought
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From: bolton
A commencement thought
Way back in the Pleistocene, I went off to college.
As part of freshman orientation, they had a ritual where the incoming freshman class went up to the football field and was divided into two teams of several hundred students.
A very large 10-12 foot diameter inflated canvas ball, which probably weighed about 50 pounds, was placed at mid field.
The very simple objective of each team was to move the ball over the opposition teams end line.
Given the size of the ball, only a few people could actually be in contact with the ball at any one time and do any actual work towards moving the ball.
A much larger number would be pushing on them rather than actually moving the ball.
An even large number would be trying to be helpful but would actually just be getting in the way.
And the remainder would be shouting at those moving the ball, telling them what they were doing was wrong and what they should be doing.
As I think back on this, it may have been the most informative experience that I had in college in preparing me for working in a large company.
As part of freshman orientation, they had a ritual where the incoming freshman class went up to the football field and was divided into two teams of several hundred students.
A very large 10-12 foot diameter inflated canvas ball, which probably weighed about 50 pounds, was placed at mid field.
The very simple objective of each team was to move the ball over the opposition teams end line.
Given the size of the ball, only a few people could actually be in contact with the ball at any one time and do any actual work towards moving the ball.
A much larger number would be pushing on them rather than actually moving the ball.
An even large number would be trying to be helpful but would actually just be getting in the way.
And the remainder would be shouting at those moving the ball, telling them what they were doing was wrong and what they should be doing.
As I think back on this, it may have been the most informative experience that I had in college in preparing me for working in a large company.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45,873
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From: Loveland, CO
Way back in the Pleistocene, I went off to college.
As part of freshman orientation, they had a ritual where the incoming freshman class went up to the football field and was divided into two teams of several hundred students.
A very large 10-12 foot diameter inflated canvas ball, which probably weighed about 50 pounds, was placed at mid field.
The very simple objective of each team was to move the ball over the opposition teams end line.
Given the size of the ball, only a few people could actually be in contact with the ball at any one time and do any actual work towards moving the ball.
A much larger number would be pushing on them rather than actually moving the ball.
An even large number would be trying to be helpful but would actually just be getting in the way.
And the remainder would be shouting at those moving the ball, telling them what they were doing was wrong and what they should be doing.
As I think back on this, it may have been the most informative experience that I had in college in preparing me for working in a large company.
As part of freshman orientation, they had a ritual where the incoming freshman class went up to the football field and was divided into two teams of several hundred students.
A very large 10-12 foot diameter inflated canvas ball, which probably weighed about 50 pounds, was placed at mid field.
The very simple objective of each team was to move the ball over the opposition teams end line.
Given the size of the ball, only a few people could actually be in contact with the ball at any one time and do any actual work towards moving the ball.
A much larger number would be pushing on them rather than actually moving the ball.
An even large number would be trying to be helpful but would actually just be getting in the way.
And the remainder would be shouting at those moving the ball, telling them what they were doing was wrong and what they should be doing.
As I think back on this, it may have been the most informative experience that I had in college in preparing me for working in a large company.
Joined: Jan 2003
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My daughter in law graduates tomorrow with a 4.0 average, and a Masters Degree in Statistical Psychology. In addition, she's 6 months pregnant with a 5 year old and a full time job.
Amazing
I'd say she's pushing the ball.
fltsfshr
Amazing
I'd say she's pushing the ball.
fltsfshr
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,737
Likes: 8,262
From: Mish-she-gan
My oldest isn't doing anything. I guess she'd be a ball buster. Congts flts
some things shouldn't be said publicly.
and we thank you for that. 
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