By June 15, 2013 Read More →

Groups II

Some additional thoughts came to mind after I wrote about groups previously. I was listening to the Vinyl Cafe a radio show from the CBC in Canada. Its very comical following the exploits about Dave. Dave owns a used record store in small town no where Canada and the radio play follows Dave’s trials and tribulations through life.

Groups II Podcast
One episode of the show talks about practical jokes between Dave and his Chinese friend Kenny. The specifics of the episode are irrelevant but the episode made me think of groups again. Dave’s friend Kenny’s father owned a Chinese food restaurant in small town anywhere and he was the most trusted member of the community. However Kenny’s father was never included in the community.
I am fascinated with my experience with groups. Groups will look outside their own group for guidance on the really hard issues. Business does this all the time. Hire a consultant to tell management what the workers already know. Groups will look for someone who they would never allow to join their group to advise them on what to do and which way to go.
My experience with sighted people is very similar to Kenny’s father experience. I am not welcome into the sighted group but. I am the one that sighted people will ask for directions. I have been flagged down on the side of major roads. I have been stopped while walking home with a guide dog in a snow storm. All by people looking for directions.
I am trusted and somehow look authoritative. I admit to always having an opinion but. I have no idea what I do or how sighted people see me but somehow I give off the air of certainty and authority. I laugh there was an episode of Star Trek TNG where Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher are mentally linked and can’t be more than a few feet from each other. Doctor Crusher is aghast at the uncertainty of Captain Picard’s thoughts even though he comes across as authoritative.
I have to assume that to manage risk groups look outside for input on the tough questions to avoid blame or making a mistake. If you ask the blind guy and he’s wrong them its only the blind guy. What do you expect he’s blind no wonder we’re lost!!
I am always amazed at how I am perceived by my sighted colleagues and friends. I admit I really don’t understand. If I gain further insight into the topic I’ll be sure to pass it along.
Posted in: Everything Else, Living

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