WHY THINGS GO WRONG IN DESIGN:
A wise man once said that if you break and ice-pick on a granite rock, you are not on an iceberg.
What were the thoughts of the person who came up with this abomination of a lifting device? Clearly this was given as much thought as is given by a wave breaking over a rock. Nothing, not a particle, a spec. An amoeba uses more brain power. Not withstanding the fact that an amoeba does not even have a brain.
It is clearly way beyond my intellectual scope why such a device, at such an exuberant price, would even be considered when there are many, many very adequate and sensibly priced equipment available that requires no re-engineering, no quantified design exercise and will be delivered to the doorstep by a friendly chap in a green overall.
This is inevitably what happens when good old common sense gets over ridden by the desire to prove or elevate oneself way beyond the intellectual capacity that a person has available upstairs. Clearly, so focused on improving ones own position on the corporate ladder, in between a gaggle of plonkers all with the same mindless, senseless mission, it is forgotten what the original task was.
At this stage common sense has been forgotten just like last Mondays weather report and the lunacy elevates even further. An outside supplier is brought in.
Now when this happens, one of two things occur. Normally the supplier will send a very intelligent and sensible person to have a first hand look at the problem. This person will evaluate the situation and present a cost effective, logical and sound solution. This is what should happen.
In reality the contracted company finds out who they are going to deal with and looks at the company. A quick assessment is made as to who they will send and what level of competence is required. Now here is where the wheels fall off.
The contracted company sees that they are dealing with some-one who has very little to no clue whatsoever what they want or what they require. It gets dismissed as a small drop in a big pond and they send their newest rep fresh out of school. This chap has fallen into the same inexplicable mindset as the person who was asked to handle the task in the first place.
Now we have a brewing ground for trouble as these two over eager voided minds get together.
Each intent on showing the other person their superior level of intelligence, the whole purpose of the meeting is melted away and left aside as the parties continue to confuse each other with brochure facts and waffle way beyond their scope of comprehension. The meeting is adjourned with both parties shaking hands and nodding their empty heads like loose headed dashboard dogs.
Apon getting back to the office these poor souls realize that they have no clue whatsoever what just happened and most hastely sets up another follow-up meeting. After about 5 minutes the second realization sets in…we need a product to show. Not being to sure of what the desired specs are, they now hastely sketch out an idea on last nights paper plate.
This wet eared rep now goes to hid buddy in the design office that only remembers him due to the fact that he gave him free bear at the last staff easter party. The young designer thinks that this is his chance to prove to the world his brilliance and borderline genius design skills and proceeds to design a abomination of machine that stupefies all logic and ignores every proven mechanical theory ever devised. Mission accomplished…..
The second meeting takes place. The egos have landed!
Both parties, now so hyped up on their own self believed success, proceed to oo and aa over the proposed design that neither of them understand. Fearing that any negative input from either side would totally burst their overly stroked blinded egos, the design is approved and hands are shaken once again. And yes, the broken neck bobbin dog thing happens again.
The proposal is proudly sent to other engineers and paraded around like a prize Irish cart horse.
It ends up on my desk. The proud individuals hold their breath, and bounce around like a teenager about to hit first base, waiting for my answer……and then…
Dudes….what the f***?????