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A La Carte (8/10)
- 08/10/10
- 12
Holy-wood’s Next Big Hits - Over the weekend USA Today ran an article about Christian movies (or Christians at the movies): “The next Blind Side may be Like Dandelion Dust, which opens nationwide in September. Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper star in this wrenching adoption story in which no one prays, no one mentions Jesus by name, no one converts. But the millions of readers who scoop up every title from evangelical novelist Karen Kingsbury will recognize Like Dandelion Dust immediately as one of her many best sellers.”
Ease off the Facebook - TIME briefly discusses a new study that seeks to measure how much people access social media from work and also seeks to measure how much that costs their companies. It’s interesting to note as well the resistance that happens when companies seek to block Facebook and other similar sites. What right do any of us have to access Facebook on our employer’s time?
Ditch the Guilt - Here’s a heartwarming article in which the author writes about how it’s in everyone’s best interests if new mothers return to the work force as soon as possible. Children are better off being raised by professionals, don’t you know.
A Masterpiece - I reserve the right to post the occasional article about the Blue Jays. A couple of days ago Brandon Morrow pitched one of the most dominating games ever and here the Jays’ beat reporter breaks it down a little. “According to Bill James’ formula, Morrow received a Game Score of 100 for his 17-strikeout, one-hit shutout of the Rays on Sunday. That not only is the highest of this season (Roy Halladay’s May 29 perfecto against the Marlins received a GSC of 98), but it was the fourth-best since 1920. It was the highest since Randy Johnson scored a 100 for his perfect game in 2004.”
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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This review of the bestselling
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Comments (12)
. What right do any of us have to access Facebook on our employer’s time?<.i>
Some of us get “breaks” - that’s not company time.
The network still belongs to the company though, even if you are on break. So in reality they can justly determine, even on your break, whether you can access facebook or not.
From the “Ditch the Guilt” articles:
According to a recent landmark study, there is almost no evidence that having a working mother in infancy adversely affects a baby’s long-term mental development or behaviour.
I’m so thankful modern man’s scientific “landmark” studies (like the one that proved homosexuality is genetic), because they help me reverse the silly ideas I had in my head of what has occurred since the beginning of time!
Jason, I understand that the network belongs to the company and if they want to restrict it, great…but the sentence I was referring to was the “on company time.”
If it’s a time waster, block away.
Although (in my classroom) the one who wastes the most time will waste it whether or not facebook is blocked. That person can waste time on weather.com
Anytime you can reference Bill James in your blog, it is a good thing. No “reserve the right” preface necessary!
” ‘I love my kids, but I just need more,’ another working mother of two young children recently put it.”
How sad.I am so fulfilled and thankful to be at home with my kids- and it is more challenging, sanctifying, and enjoyable than any career will ever be.And I’ve worked in professional childcare and as a public school teacher in two states… as their mommy, I’m the most qualified and equipped person to care for them.
Tim,
Was “heartwarming” a tongue in cheek remark from you?! (I hope so!!) That might be the worst essay I’ve read in a while.
Wow—-I’m an adoptive Mom and just watched the trailer for “Like Dandelion Dust”.
Movies like this are such a hassle for us —-everyone we know will be asking if this can really happen in adoption. (The answer is no, if it’s handled properly.)
Personally, I wish adoption wasn’t such a sensational interest to others. We’re a typical family. Adoption is part of our story, but doesn’t define us. This sort of movie/book makes it harder for others to realize that.
As a single, working, stay-at-home mom, that “heartwarming” story made me so mad.
“Women who do nothing but parent may be more attentive, sure. Less able to make small talk at a cocktail parties, absolutely. ”
“Mothers who relinquish their earning power and career status to provide the unpaid labour of raising babies are loath to admit that their sacrifice was made in vain.”
In vain?! Ugh.
Regarding Facebook at work:If one cannot give it up for 8 hours of the day, five days a week (assuming one works full time), there’s a PROBLEM. Facebook can be useful; I use it to keep in touch with friends and family who are far away. However, constantly using it becomes an idle (idol?) pursuit.
I work for local (County/State District) government, and my boss recently installed some kind of software/Internet monitor. Many of my coworkers were upset that they couldn’t use Facebook all day. One of them actually deleted her profile so she wouldn’t be tempted. As my specific job doesn’t require Internet use, I didn’t have a problem either way. I rather enjoy the break from my Internet habits.
Re: “What right to Facebook?”
No right. At the same time, employees have every right to ask. It’s all about how badly people want it and how negatively its absence will affect their loyalty to a particular employer.
Honestly, if my employer decided tomorrow to cut off access to Facebook, et. al. and block access to various instant messaging services, I would probably start looking for a new job. Is it within their rights to block those sites? Absolutely. Just as its within my rights to seek employment elsewhere. If enough people value access to Facebook, an employer has to realize that blocking it means they’re probably going to have to pay a little more (or offer other amenities) to keep people loyal. It boils down to an equation. How much extra do I have to spend to retain my employees sans Facebook vs. how much do I save (in reduced network bandwidth and increased productivity) by blocking it.
Re: Working mothers & studies:
I’d not be so quick to dismiss the value of “studies”. This one may have all sorts of flaws; I wouldn’t know, not having read it. But without any evidence to suggest that, you might at least consider the implications if its findings were valid, instead of just dismissing it out of hand.
Personally, and maybe this is my own failing, I really relate to this woman’s friend’s comments about going “bonkers”. If I had to be the sole person in charge of my 4 year old son for 8 hours a day…I wouldn’t literally go nuts, but suffice it to say I’d find it stressful and difficult.
“What right do any of us have to access Facebook on our employer’s time?”
…or challies.com for that matter.