Passion and Communication

[Tom Sun]

There lie the roots of unthinking and unyielding fanaticism. Maybe with a glutted job market it would be best to leave it rather than pound one's head obdurately against a brick wall.

Terry Eagleton has come out with a new book, from which this essay is excerpted:

No I agree with you on that. If a candidate is heading into a field (such as trading, software engineering, or mastering a musical instrument) because of the prospect of riches and fame, that enthusiasm will fleet quickly. But those who enjoy the process of learning, doing, and improving the craft are usually the ones who make it through. That's probably not passion, but just dedication to improve.

 

[bigbadwolf]

That's probably not passion, but just dedication to improve.

The interesting thing is that once you get past the bull about "passion" and "excellence," how little you see of genuine craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. The "passion" is just an euphemism for getting rich quick by a superficial display of effusive enthusiasm.

 

[C S]

Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic, has made the relevant points about passion quite succinctly in these slides. He says elsewhere he used to work as a loan officer in a bank, and he learned from his more experienced superior that you don't make loans to passionate people starting a new business. You make loans to people who have carefully planned out their business and come to it, not by passion usually, but by logic. For example, Scott Adams himself started the Dilbert comic as just one of several pragmatic business paths.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Does 'passion' have a half-life? e.g. after 2 years of passion, you throw in the towel?

Maybe 'perseverance' is a better word, like the Welsh rugby team against England in the World Cup yesterday.

 

[bigbadwolf]

Does 'passion' have a half-life? e.g. after 2 years of passion, you throw in the towel?

Maybe 'perseverance' is a better word, like the Welsh rugby team against England in the World Cup yesterday.

The US has a stripped-down vocabulary. Certain words and slogans go viral and monopolise popular discussion. Words like "passion", "excellence", and "pro-active." Makes sure your resume has them (in bullet-point form ideally). Besides, "passion" has seven letters and "perseverance" twelve.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

The Tory Brexiters are great ones for meaningless buzzwords

World-class scientists
Trading nation
We was tricked by those EU negotiators
etc.