Is that what it says on the Box?

I was watching Mythbusters tonight (a repeat) where the scene is Adam and Jamie learning about the force of water and ability of humans to escape a car falling into a lake or other body of water.

In the process of their investigation of this myth they learned about a window breaking tool, invented to help a human escape such an unfortunate event. They tried tapping the driver's door with this specially made hammer, and without any effort or a "second take", the window neatly shattered.

Jaime and Adam just looked at each other, and Jamie said, "Wow, that was easy. Just like the box said." How often does that happen?

I wish we could say that about our political agenda these days (USA), or concerning the way business is conducted for the masses. It seems that we have so many people greedy for their own good that nobody takes the time to see the simple steps in life. What if each of these influential people asked, "Where can I do the most good for the people I affect, in the most unobtrusive manner, while maintaining a pleasant and consistent relationship within those confines?" (e.g. work, home, church, etc)? Instead of "what's in it for me?" could we ask "what's in it for all of us and can it be improved?"

An example of what I'm talking about is the recent Harvard Business Review which talks about a list of Breakthrough Ideas for 2008. Think about some of these titles (I've listed only a few below, so here's the web site if you'd like to peruse the entire article):

• How Honest People Cheat
• Lies, **** Lies, and Lie Detectors
• Sick Transit Gloria
• The Cybercrime Service Area
• My Blackberry Ate My Accountability
• What Good are Experts

..and the list continues.

If you had no idea what this list was about, and just read the titles, would you feel that the goal was to meet consumer needs and promote Business for the common good?

While the article titles draw the reader, and does have some very innovative, challenging ideas, do we have to point everyone in a negative direction to make our point?

Let's just follow the simple, basic instructions on the box:


Use an indoor voice.
Listen when someone is speaking.
Wait your turn to share ideas.
Treat others with kindness.
Follow directions.
The only thing that belongs in your mouth is edible food.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Don't take other peoples belongings.
Say Please and Thank You.
Clean up your own mess
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together
Play fair

All chalked up again to two basic rules:

• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Love your neighbor as yourself.

Believe me, those instructions, albeit rooted in Biblical principles, actually work, the first time, without a glitch. Amazing!