As you may have figured out, my name is Matt Griswold. This is where I think aloud, tag the trappings of the interwebs, and rant about all things interesting and ridiculous. You can reach me at mgriswold[at]gmail.com
You wouldn’t tell it by Bloomberg’s language, but Merckle’s Volkswagen bet lost out to one of the most masterful hacks of the financial system in history. For those of us who don’t live and breathe finance, this is that story.
Amazing story.
Buried in between the lines of this brief correspondence, Edison seems to diplomatically rephrase a frustration for the slow tide of mass adoption... that is, not just REACHING "the average man" but also convincing him to "accept" the cure.
When Sun-Tzu went to work for his royal patron, the king of Wu, the king decided to test the expertise of Sun-Tzu. He ordered him to teach the manual of arms to his harem of 360 concubines. Sun-Tzu divided them into two companies, put the king’s two favorite concubines in command of the companies, ensured that they knew their front from their back, their left from their right, and explained the first maneuver. When he gave the order to face right, the women giggled. He told them that when the troops do not understand the maneuver, it is the fault of the general, and he explained the maneuver again. Again they giggled. So, he said, when the troops understand but do not obey, then it is the officers’ fault, and he ordered the execution of the two concubines in charge. The king was horrified and begged him to spare them; but Sun-Tzu told him that once the general was appointed, he must carry out his mission regardless of the commands of the king. The concubines were executed, new officers were appointed, and the harem learned the manual of arms perfectly.
- With Arrow, Sword and Spear, p.p. 134-135
I think it's a compliment to the progress of America and women that I naturally find this letter to be so completely shocking. Presumably written by the post-depression era HR director (isn't HR always depressing?) of Walt Disney's up-and-coming studio, this letter is an telling artifact of the times.
I have to wonder if Disney soon revisited this policy 4 years later, after all of their "young men" had to trade their ink for ammo in the buildup to World War II? A great find by @shayasaka!
