dick@ccb.ucsf.edu.UUCP (11/21/87)
In article <2358@sfsup.UUCP> glg@/guest4/glgUUCP (xmpj20000-G.Gleason) writes: >Although there are some encouraging signs of openness from Gorbachev, I >have my doubts about their political organization ever releasing this >type of control. Democracy is likely to be restricted to party members >for a long time to come, but then even this is encouraging. I have told a story (third hand, sorry) for years about how the folks who went to install an automated lens factory outside of Moscow discovered a fascinating truth about life in the USSR. They noticed that in each case the corresponding techie on the Russian side was overqualified compared to the US techie. It seems that the penalty (to your carreer) for failure is so high that folks are unwilling to reach for a position in which they might fail. This lack of bravado creates a generalized wasting of talent and may indeed be an overwhelming problem. The recent case of a Moscow(?) CP chief who was forced to resign and repent is highly instructive. Not only did the story get wide and detailed coverage in the open press in the USSR, but the guy was not then sent to Siberia. In fact I find it most encouraging that he has already assumed another role of rather significant proportions. Perhaps someone more familiar with the case and the prior state of that society can make this more clear and put it in perspective for me and for you. Dick Dick Karpinski Manager of Minicomputer Services, UCSF Computer Center UUCP: ...!ucbvax!ucsfcgl!cca.ucsf!dick (415) 476-4529 (11-7) BITNET: dick@ucsfcca or dick@ucsfvm Compuserve: 70215,1277 USPS: U-76 UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143-0704 Telemail: RKarpinski Domain: dick@cca.ucsf.edu Home (415) 658-6803 Ans 658-3797