On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 8:54 AM, Alain Sepeda <alain.sep...@gmail.com>wrote:
> > This paper's abstract seems to cover that subject > > http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/enhanced/doi/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2012.01072.x/ > > Too bad i can only read the abstract > > "In this paper we question the one‐sided thesis that contemporary > organizations rely on the mobilization of cognitive capacities. We suggest > that severe restrictions on these capacities in the form of what we call > functional stupidity are an equally important if under‐recognized part of > organizational life. Functional stupidity refers to an absence of > reflexivity, a refusal to use intellectual capacities in other than myopic > ways, and avoidance of justifications*.* We argue that functional > stupidity is prevalent in contexts dominated by economy in persuasion which > emphasizes image and symbolic manipulation. This gives rise to forms of > stupidity management that repress or marginalize doubt and block > communicative action. In turn, this structures individuals' internal > conversations in ways that emphasize positive and coherent narratives and > marginalize more negative or ambiguous ones. This can have productive > outcomes such as providing a degree of certainty for individuals and > organizations. But it can have corrosive consequences such as creating a > sense of dissonance among individuals and the organization as a whole. The > positive consequences can give rise to self‐reinforcing stupidity. The > negative consequences can spark dialogue, which may undermine functional > stupidity." > > > Mats Alvesson is the author of this paper. He has also written a book called 'The Triumph of Emptiness'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1QZ7iBhl5c He says contemporary age is preoccupied with grandiosity, but at the end of the interview in an act of self-satire he brags about the recognition his book has received. I get the impression he enjoys using irony and satire to make point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1QZ7iBhl5c Harry Harry
