Reader Feedback: The Last Day

Published: May 1, 2006

IT Jungle columnist, Victor Rozek, doesn't have a title above and beyond Contributing Editor, but he ought to. Perhaps Gadfly in Chief? Editorial Conscience? Pain in the neck, and lower? A voice howling in the wilderness? A damned good writer, and a good man? The latter is a rare thing in combination, which is why we love Victor so much.

A lot of you do, too. And his article, As I See It: The Last Day, seemed to have struck a chord with many of you out there in the cosmic Ether Net. Here's a sample of some of the feedback we received.

Your article, "The Last Day," was very well written--very "Hemingway-esque", descriptive, and dense.

I can relate to the character. Everyday, I sit here and wonder why I waste my time in a corporate job that offers nothing beyond monetary reward--no passion, no creativity, no real problems solved. I can literally tick off all the wasted time spent on projects that didn't accomplish their goals; tasks that were later determined to be the wrong approach. I've seen millions of dollars wasted on technology that never reached its promise--millions that could have been spent on community development, benefiting both humanity and our corporation.

I recently saw a new headline that read "Americans Work More, Accomplish Less." Technology was to blame. If we spent more time building and nurturing partnerships with our customers and local communities and less time on technological dead ends, we'd reap the benefits ten-fold.

Do you think we will ever wake up?

--Jeff

This was a great piece of writing. I enjoy reading articles that cause me to reflect on my future. I think this will touch many people and am happy I had the chance to read it.

Thank you.

--Leo

Gee Vic, "The Last Day" seems pretty rosy (or should I say oleander?) to me. That's a lot better treatment than happens in my company--a multi-national computing equipment manufacturer and service firm.

--No name, no place, please.

Interesting piece, Victor. Is there a real-life person behind the story? I guess it is supposed to be about many folks. Keep up the good work.

--Robert

You got me with this one . . . . Sorry for so short a message, got to go take care of some important stuff.

--Randy

One excellent piece of writing! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks.

--Wales

Whew! Very powerful story today. Because it could be me, one day, I suppose. I found myself hoping that the protagonist made it to the end of the day without shooting anyone.

Thanks.

--David

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your article about the last day. I, too, was an IT person who enjoyed the part of the project where users discovered what they really needed; new-found knowledge always lead to the programs that really helped them do their jobs.

I've been retired a couple of years and the article really hit home. But I am really enjoying having my time to do the things I want, pretty much when I want. Anyway, thanks for the article, it was well done.

--Rod

I really loved this one. I found it very insightful, and an interesting peek into another's feelings. Shame on you, you made me cry and I haven't even really started my work day. Just kidding. I did find this article very moving. Please keep them coming.

--Paula

My gosh, someone else experiences life the way I feel. How about that! You really summed it up great.

I am 62 and have been involved with computer programming since 1971. I feel much the way you do as I approach my final years. If this "story" was your swan song, let me wish you much success as you go toward that unknown horizon. I really enjoyed reading this article. Thank you for it and the years you have served us in whatever way. The world is a strange and wonderful place and it is made better by your presence.

--Neal

Editor's Note: Victor is not allowed to retire. No one who works at Guild Companies will retire. We have too much we want to say and do and change. So don't worry. We are allowed to take long vacations and work slower when we hit 70, though (wink, wink). And I have this vision of a string of Guild Companies Homes for Curmudgeons--one in the Western deserts outside of San Diego, one in rural Pennsylvania on a river in the Appalachian mountains, one in New York City, one in San Francisco, one in Yucatan where it is always warm and wet--where we crusty and testy curmudgeons will work in the garden, go fishing, watch the grandkids and great-grandkids, do a little writing, help run various companies, and help the whippersnappers at the company become the leaders.

--TPM