The Tragedy of the Commons

In a good mood to finish David Gillespie's book, which I started a few weeks ago, I came across an intriguing topic: "The Tragedy of the Commons." Although I didn't study economics in high school, this was a great opportunity to get a quick insight into the concept.

The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation in which individuals with access to a public resource (also called a common) act in their own interest and, in doing so, ultimately deplete the resource.

One example that really struck me was the local supermarket running out of toilet paper during the COVID-19 lockdown. The situation was simple: people could buy as many rolls as they wanted, and with the uncertainty of the pandemic, everyone stocked up excessively. The supplier didn't anticipate this surge in demand, and the store's toilet paper was quickly sold out. Those who hoarded the toilet paper had plenty, while many others were left without any, creating an unfair situation. 

The store never imagined they would run out of stock, leading to a breakdown in supply and affecting millions of households. There was no authority to regulate and preserve this common asset, so it was left to public choice.

This raises a bigger question about other common resources like clean air, fresh water, forests, pastures, and global temperature. 

Who has the authority to preserve these essential elements? It's absolutely, us.

Therefore, to build a sustainable future, we all must make sacrifices to preserve common assets. The key is trust, but it’s uncertain how far that can take us. Education and goodwill are important, but we must also take action together.

David Gillespie –Toxic At Work

A wonderful piece of advice laid down by David Gillespie in his book -Toxic At Work, is not just to read and enjoy but also need to deeply reflect on daily workplace environments. It addresses the journey from toxic workplaces to more positive and friendly environments, capturing the essence of how such environments emerge, their impact on employees, and effective management for navigating and overcoming these challenges.

The book is a masterpiece of advice for everyone from business owners and managers to employees at all levels. It provides valuable insights into identifying toxic behaviors, understanding their origins, and mitigating their effects. Nonetheless, it explores the psychological and emotional toll of toxic workplaces and offers practical advice for individuals and organizations striving to create healthier, more positive work cultures.

Having worked in different workplaces, under different leaders, and having experienced a spectrum of workplace environments, I resonate deeply with the dual feelings of love and hatred towards different workplaces and colleagues. This book shares these sentiments, from admiration to resentment, and highlights the ongoing journey of understanding human nature across all hierarchical levels.

David has put in a significant effort into compiling thoughtful real-life examples, expert opinions, and actionable steps. These elements aim to empower readers to transform their work experiences and foster a more supportive and productive workplace.

One piece of advice I have come across in the book is the power of empathy and kindness in transforming toxic work environments. David emphasizes that even in the most challenging workplaces, individual acts of compassion and understanding can create a ripple effect, fostering a more supportive and inclusive atmosphere. 

He shares real-life stories where small gestures of kindness led to significant positive changes, highlighting the profound impact each person can have in creating a healthier and more collaborative work culture. This message of hope and the potential for change underscores the book's practical advice, offering a beacon of positivity for those navigating difficult work situations.

One particularly concerning issue is the prevalence of favoritism and cliques in the workplace. Despite utmost professionalism and expertise, colleagues who claim to be close to the "boss" or the owner's best friend can do more harm than good. In such environments, it might be wiser to leave silently and find peace rather than tarnishing one's life with black mark in the heart -eternally!. 

Personal experiences of being bullied, despite showcasing both professionalism and a positive attitude, reinforce the importance of David's advice and the need for empathy and kindness in the workplace.

Therefore, I would like to advise friends to read this book to understand the impact both as a victim and the one trying to bully at the workplace. This book is for the ones who claim to be owners' best friends and managers close ones. 

 

Source: David Gullespie FB

Age Is The Enemy

Many say age is just a number. Age is calculated by counting the numbers of years, months, and days since birth. Interestingly, if one is born in a leap year, the lucky one gets to celebrate birthday once-in-4-year. 

Recent push to impose the age limit to 35-year by the Australian government is shaking the international students indefinitely, one who will pass this age threshold upon completion of the course –who are currently enrolled in different courses in the colleges and universities across Australia. Of course, the main agenda is clear, but – why not 25 years, 27 years, 30 years, 40 years and so on? Why must it be 35 years?

 

Let me put age factors together as sometimes it can be both a deadly enemy and a worthy opportunity. When we were just born, we were so fragile that we could easily perish soon after birth, because of overwhelming external pressures confronting us. However, despite facing numerous challenges, some of which are daunting and life-threatening, we persevere and transition into subsequent phases of life, only to encounter further hardships. 

 

One of the most controversial, confusing, and complex criminal laws across the world is defining what constitutes rape. In this case, age becomes lethal especially for boys who becomes the victim of so-called rape of someone before the legal age. To be lawfully correct, someone must be above 18 years to engage in a physical relationship with the opposite gender and to start a family. Although different countries have different age limits to start a family, or engage in a relationship, what sadly sometimes turns out bad is for someone who has a physical relationship under guaranteed consent terms that turns out to be a deadly enemy forcing mostly a man to serve prison terms, ruining almost everything including the family and loved life.

 

The next is when someone so capable can’t make it to some important colleges or universities or training or getting a job just because someone is below or above the required age limit. I have my daughter who missed her enrollment in primary school not even one month for the age limit set as 5 years to become fully eligible. She had to wait for another year, by then she will be 11 months older to her mates. However, not so disappointed, but sometimes age becomes a deterrent. 

 

As we slowly progress from infancy to youth, adulthood, and into the full working years, and then eventually into sixties and beyond, we begin to feel the weight of aging. The whole body gradually loses its vitality, with each part experiencing a sharp decline in function and energy which overly becomes burdensome to behold. This process of aging can feel prodigious, as the body’s ecosystems seem to conspire against us. Personally, I believe that old age brings not only immense challenges for myself but also to my family and community. The fact of living a life, the whole journey is considerably present an emotional contrast between the joys of the past and the hardships of the present. 

 

The journey from adolescence through the aging process brings about a host of changes, from the transition beyond sweet sixteen to the onset of graying hair, the advent of wrinkles and age spots, the onset of joint pains and to receding of forehead hair faster than you think. Alongside these physical transformations come challenges like memory loss, hearing impairments, fading eyesight, and the emotional toll of experiencing various losses. What is this life –that gives a lot, also takes away a lot?

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Life That Gives A Lot, Also Takes Away A Lot

 

To many aspirants and who are already in –Australia who are currently pursuing studies and contributing to economy by labor and tax, paying of bills and upholding the markets dynamics, have put on hold to think a thousand times after having sacrificed so much physically, mentally, and emotionally far from home and families and now with age cap is pushing dream far to dare. It is with an immense and heavy heart –now time to book a return air ticket. For dreams and sacrifices, like a tsunami, many would return home, perhaps futile in the eyes of family, friends, and colleagues. This is hard to believe but age has turned out to be simply a foe of many. 

 

The age limit spanning from birth to death, encompassing both fond memories and miseries, from time to time, age ceiling can be a deadly enemy to worthy chance, indefinitely. And at present, this issue appears to be profoundly hitting the marrow of many different nationals studying in Australia, who possibly exceed the age threshold of 35 years. 

Source: Zapp