Response to "The Corporation"

Overall, my reaction to the “The Corporation” was a personal feeling of depression. It’s simply depressing to see where we, as a Nation, have gone since the beginning of the 20th century.  It’s easy, in hindsight, to see how the motto “The bottom-line is more important than public good,” has robbed our future generations of the basic rights expected in today’s world: clean water, healthy food, education, and a sense a safety.   The first image that struck me personally was the very first images of the standard cubicles that are ever-present in many offices across the country. They are a symbolic type of visual that can be applied to corporations in general: artificial, temporary, square, prescribed, grey, windowless.  The cubicle is not a permanent wall; it can easily be torn down, relocated, or added too in an orderly manner. 

From 1997 to 2002, I lived in a corporate cubicle.  My particular aloted space was in the Reno Gazette-Journal Advertising Department, which is a Gannett owned newspaper in Reno, NV.  Outside my cubicle were more cubicles.  They could be easily separated from the rest of the lego-like structure if someone quit, was promoted, transferred, or (shhhhh, because nobody ever said this word…) fired.  The endless cubicle city was windowless, very public, and easily allowed for the Ad Director, Sales Manager, or coworker to eavesdrop on any conversation, whether work or private.

From 10am to 7pm Monday through Friday, I had to account for every second of my time.  I was reminded of my Daily Log when the Nike paperwork was shown to account for time to the second.  I had to account for my time by the minute, including bathroom breaks, personal phone calls, meetings, and all the size, color, and other characteristics for every ad I designed.  I remember joking once about making a column on the log for time spent filling out the log; that was funny to my coworkers, but not the Art Director.  There is little room for humor, individuality, or innovation.

During the segment on the legal ruling of corporations acting as a person, I was astonished that the law was created the way it was. And not only created, but allowed to continue the way it has been.  To me, it is taking laws created to promote and ensure equality and using them to perpetuate inequality.

When you all get out into the "real world" and find a job, be weary, be very weary, of the grey cubicles.  If you see them, politely take back your resume and run for the nearest emergency exit!  The employee benefits will not be worth the loss of self- it wasn't worth it for me.