On the way to work the other day, the Wallflowers song “Fifth Avenue Heartache” came on the radio.
I started wondering what happened to them, and then remember that Jakob Dylan, the lead singer, was the son of the Bob Dylan. And oddly, thinking of Bob Dylan made me remember the 1998 Soy Bomb incident.
During his 1998 Grammy performance, artist Michael Portnoy rushed on stage shirtless with the words “SOY BOMB” painted on his chest. When asked about it, he explained:
“Soy… represents dense nutritional life. Bomb is, obviously, an explosive destructive force. So, soy bomb is what I think art should be: dense, transformational, explosive life.
We need more crazy artists in the workforce. More people willing to run on stage with the words soy bomb written on themselves (figuratively, of course). People willing to shake things up and challenge the status quo.
Do you encourage the freaks in your office?
G’Day Chris,
Before I comment on your soy bomb post , i wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your contribution to Ben’s “retention” eBook.
I’ve been involved in HR since 1963–It was called ‘personnel and training” then–when I got a job in the Pay Office at The University of Melbourne. Since then I’ve met and worked with some outstanding HR people. But they’re the exception. At other times I think that nothing has changed
.
Why on earth are HR people concerned with stopping employees from leaving? Seems to me that there are so many positive issues that they should be involved in!
Anyway……..
Always loved Bob Dylan’s songs. Always hated his singing. These two quotes support your “soy bomb” approach.
“The cleverly expressed opposite of any generally accepted idea is worth a fortune to somebody.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
“Heresy is just another word for freedom of thought” Graham Greene
In both cases I invoke the promise of another song, “Let It Be Me.”
I’m starting to feel like George Burns who said,”When I was young, the Dead Sea was only sick.”
I’ve always liked the word “curmudgeon.” Now I am one i like it even more.
Make sure you have fun
Regards
Leon