Everday I hear complaints about our changing environment. We have plant closings, businesses closing, layoffs, demolitions, etc., etc.
I'm not happy to hear about most of it because I know it has a real and measurable impact on peoples' lives. I was once a victim of such change and I'm still bitter about it, but life goes on.
No progress happens without change. In large urban areas you will read about hospital closings. I've talked to physicians about this. The biggest reason for this is the way in which treatment is now delivered. Many surgeries, which formerly required large incisions and recuperations, are now performed laproscopically and the patient requires little or no post op hospital time.
What does this mean? It means that there are empty beds. There is no need to employ a cleaning staff for vacant floors. Less need for a large cafeteria. Less need for a large physical medical plant. Less cost involved in delivery of medical care. There is a greater need for skilled and well trained professional types, just less need for unskilled staff. Most people who have had major surgery, would opt for laproscopic in the wink of a eye.
I see the same thing in the auto industry. The ways that automobile plants were built left little room for adaptive measures. The platform supported a few (maybe) makes or models. To change the platform to suit current demand and tastes was very costly. It's much easier/cheaper to offer a lower price on what you make than to give the consumer/customer what he wants. This can go on for only so long. Real change is inevitable.
Fifty years ago, a male with a college degree had the world as his oyster in the U.S. Many would love to return to those good old days. They weren't such good old days for non-white males and other minorities, but what the hey, an accident of birth worked for you or against you.
My point is that change will happen whether you like it or not. Best to adapt as well as you can as well as contest change which is destructive to the foundation of our "free" society (eminent domain abuse comes to my mind).
Competition is good, compete. Compete even when the decked is stacked against you, you'll be stronger.
Let change be your friend, it's difficult, but most change is inevitable.
I'm not happy to hear about most of it because I know it has a real and measurable impact on peoples' lives. I was once a victim of such change and I'm still bitter about it, but life goes on.
No progress happens without change. In large urban areas you will read about hospital closings. I've talked to physicians about this. The biggest reason for this is the way in which treatment is now delivered. Many surgeries, which formerly required large incisions and recuperations, are now performed laproscopically and the patient requires little or no post op hospital time.
What does this mean? It means that there are empty beds. There is no need to employ a cleaning staff for vacant floors. Less need for a large cafeteria. Less need for a large physical medical plant. Less cost involved in delivery of medical care. There is a greater need for skilled and well trained professional types, just less need for unskilled staff. Most people who have had major surgery, would opt for laproscopic in the wink of a eye.
I see the same thing in the auto industry. The ways that automobile plants were built left little room for adaptive measures. The platform supported a few (maybe) makes or models. To change the platform to suit current demand and tastes was very costly. It's much easier/cheaper to offer a lower price on what you make than to give the consumer/customer what he wants. This can go on for only so long. Real change is inevitable.
Fifty years ago, a male with a college degree had the world as his oyster in the U.S. Many would love to return to those good old days. They weren't such good old days for non-white males and other minorities, but what the hey, an accident of birth worked for you or against you.
My point is that change will happen whether you like it or not. Best to adapt as well as you can as well as contest change which is destructive to the foundation of our "free" society (eminent domain abuse comes to my mind).
Competition is good, compete. Compete even when the decked is stacked against you, you'll be stronger.
Let change be your friend, it's difficult, but most change is inevitable.
