What is work?
May 11, 2009
A group of executives gathered for a meeting in the offices of a West Coast software company. The participants included one female vice president for marketing, beautifully coiffed and dressed in a silk suit. As soon as the meeting began, she took out her note pad and began writing. She appeared thoroughly engaged.
From over her shoulder, another participant glimpsed at the words on her page. They did not appear relevant:
Pick up Elsie’s invitations
Dry cleaners
Party favors
Chicken cutlets
Dentist, 4 p.m.
The vice president was writing a mother’s shopping and errand list. According to a friend who related this incident, this woman was present in body, not in spirit. She was similar in function to those buxom carved figureheads on the prow of sailing vessels, leading the way through turbulent seas with beauty and an unvarying smile.
