Joined: Nov 27, 2004 Posts: 175 Location: Federal City, USA
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:28 am Post subject: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
Quote:
Wagoner said the company believes the trend away from trucks and SUVs in the U.S. market is permanent and that the company is responding, with 18 cars or crossovers in development. But he said GM never could have predicted how quickly the change would come as oil prices doubled in the last year.
"We missed that, but I think us and 99.999% of the rest of the people in the world did too," he said.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
Good to know that 99.999% of America is oblivious to peak oil and its problems.... Less competition for me I guess _________________ Tired of high gas prices? Then stop driving to work, duh..... Learn to Work from home
Joined: Apr 17, 2005 Posts: 2680 Location: Vancouver Island
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
That .001 percentile is 300,000 americans. I don't think our registration numbers are that high yet. _________________ shame on us, doomed from the start
god have mercy on our dirty little hearts
Joined: Oct 11, 2005 Posts: 408 Location: Arizona, USA
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:53 am Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
Duende wrote:
Either we're all brilliant here, or this just goes to show how big and dumb GM really is.
I'm not sure. I'm confused since my free market capitalist friends tell me that only the smartest and hardest working people rise to the top of corporations and other positions of power. If they didn't see it coming, the rest of us must have just gotten lucky.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:06 am Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
There's a great book called "Snakes in Suits" by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare talking about "the best and the brightest."
It's actually about how sociopaths are drawn to, and thrive in the free market capitalist corporate structure. It's an interesting read, if somewhat disgusting.
Windmills wrote:
Duende wrote:
Either we're all brilliant here, or this just goes to show how big and dumb GM really is.
I'm not sure. I'm confused since my free market capitalist friends tell me that only the smartest and hardest working people rise to the top of corporations and other positions of power. If they didn't see it coming, the rest of us must have just gotten lucky.
Joined: Jan 16, 2005 Posts: 292 Location: Delft, Netherlands
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:26 am Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
Duende wrote:
Either we're all brilliant here, or this just goes to show how big and dumb GM really is.
It's interesting that they did not say 'nobody' predicted it, which is what you hear from most other CEO's.
What particularely disgusts me is the claims by so-called experts on biofuels that nobody could have anticipated the food crisis. In fact, the foodcrisis has been developing since 2000, and the biofuels rush was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.
Sociopathic is the right descriptor. There are people in very high places who seem to be the devil incarnate! There is no limit in their bloodthirst.
And it always strikes me how petty crimes such as shoplifting get a lot of attention in the press and in congress (in the Netherlands) while the massive premeditated crimes against humanity and the planet that are constantly perpetrated by our governments and corporate leadership are never mentioned, let alone questioned. It is a strange world indeed.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
Whether GM managers were smart and did the expediant thing or were just dumb the result is the same. I've worked for some pretty smart folks yet I've watched them intensionally make very bad long term decisions to satisfy Wall Street's y/y growth mentality. I've seen companies abandon commercially producing oil zones so the wells could be recompleted in shallower zones to boost next quarters's cash flow. Ignoring, of course, the loss of asset valu. Typically economics would prevent the abandoned zone from ever being put back on line. From what Ii've read the margins on trucks/SUV's were much better and helped the stock values greatly...for a time. At least till the corporate bonuses were calculated. Sorta like musical chairs. Current management is left standing there by themselves when the music stopped this time.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
jbrovont said:
Quote:
It's actually about how sociopaths are drawn to, and thrive in the free market capitalist corporate structure.
My roommate in college did his master’s thesis on sociopaths. His theory was that when 5% of the population began exhibiting primarily sociopathic characteristics that the society would eventually collapse as a result. I think he was probably correct.
I have seen the effects of sociopaths throughout the years. Yes, they often do attain high level positions in industry and government. Since they are usually quite intelligent and do not experience emotions like normal people, they can be devastating in a social context. Human machines without empathy can bring great pain to many people.
I would advise that individuals do some reading on the subject for their own protection. It appears that their numbers have been increasing over the last few decades.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
I didn't know what a sociopath was. This is what I found.
Profile of the Sociopath
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
Authoritarian
Secretive
Paranoid
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
Just about sums up the world leaders then !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gasmon _________________ Oiyl be back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
GASMON said:
Quote:
I didn't know what a sociopath was. This is what I found.
Profile of the Sociopath
Not all sociopaths exhibit all of these characteristics, all the time. What they do seem to universally exhibit is the capacity to manipulate other people’s emotions. It appears that they live vicariously off of other people’s feelings. They are sort of like emotional parasites.
Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, and many others have fit into this category. Many corporate leaders that I have met over the years also seem to fit into this category. They seems to also be universally capable of being extremely charming when needed. The next moment, they can be equally ruthless.
I am quite sure that it is a learned behavior. Why it appears to be increasing I have yet to determine, but I am quite sure that it is.
sameu said:
Quote:
hmmm a lot of women are like that
You may be confusing bi-polar behavior with sociopathic behavior? Women seem to display it more than men. Men are more likely to be sociopaths.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: We are in the .001th percentile (according to GM)
Today's layoffs & paycuts ought to cover 1/100th of their CEO's bonus. _________________ People first, then things, then dollars.
There will be enslavement & cannibalism.
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Then stop driving to work, duh..... 
