Hello, Friends:

Evan Carmichael, of EvanCarmichael.com, just posted this topic in his Entrepreneur Forums:

– Soul Crushing Cubicles (forum link) – http://www.evancarmichael.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4965

It provides a link to a Focus.com post of the same name, Soul Crushing Cubicles, that shows a series of photos of office workers in EXTREMELY cramped spaces and cubicles!

- Soul Crushing Cubicles (Focus.com post) – http://www.focus.com/fyi/human-resources/soul-crushing-cubicles/

The photos are both funny and sad and reveal the plight of workers who seem to willingly accept the inhuman conditions of their work environment.

Have YOU every been there? Doesn't it make the prospect of running your own business and/or working from home SO much more attractive? Change is possible, but first must come the desire.

What do you think about the photos in the Soul Crushing Cubicles post?

Post your thoughts here.

GT :-)

Hi GT,

It was Evan's "Soul Crushing Cubicles" post on the EvanCarmichael.com forum that triggered an idea for me to write a blog post about a "soul crushing" situation in Japan:

http://www.grasp-the-nettle.com/TigersCave/2010/09/23/japanese-cyber-drifters/

One of my blog readers emailed me to say it "resonated" and later did some business together. This kind of story-telling, whether using photos, videos or good old text is a good way to generate interest and quietly "build your brand" online.

Cheers for now,

DH

Hi, David:

Great blog post! I always appreciate the blog posts and forum posts you write that give us an inside look on your perspective of Japanese culture.

I like your comment, above, tying in the concept of using story-telling as a means to brand yourself online.

LOL, soul-crushing cubicles might be physically limiting and emotionally oppressive, but if a person has a computer and an Internet connection, it can become their window on the world; a release from the crush of the cubicle!

GT :-)

Hi GT, that was a great comment you left on that forum at evan carmichael. That was part of the reason for starting the coffee shop group in the first place, to give people an escape. We are all busy, and often do not spare a thought for those souls that are "trapped" like that. Thanks for posting.

Hi, Ian: You are most welcome. Thank you for the compliment.

The Coffee Shop group is a great idea: a place with a relaxed atmosphere where IM faceplate members can come to share ideas or just let it all hang out!

GT :-)

After spending 9 years in a cubicle, I have much greater respect for the idea of "free-range" chickens! I hated being in a coop! How stifling to creativity! Also gives more meaning to that old cowboy song "Don't Fence Me In"

I've been retired since Dec 1995 and the term "Open Range" is a beautiful, beautiful thing. I love having the freedom to do what I want to do, when I want to do it. Like stay in my jammies All Day Long...lol

Hi, Brenda: LOL, thanks for the comment. Yes, the Open Range is SO much better!

Me, I wouldn't mind working in a cubicle ... as long it was MY cubicle ... at home ... working in my jammies! But I wouldn't call it a cubicle. To me, it would be a cocoon!

GT :-)

Well put GT... My home is a cocoon. Hadn't really thought about it like that, but it really fits. Warm and safe! And I love working from my home! Dogs and All...lol

Kind of related :-)

Hot Day

It was a really hot day at the office due to a malfunction with the air conditioning system. There were about twenty people in close quarters and everyone was sweating, even with a fan on.

All of a sudden, people started to wrinkle their noses at an odor passing through the air. It was the most hideous smell anyone had ever smelled.

One man, popping his head out of his cubicle said, "Oh, man! Someone's deodorant isn't working."

A man in the corner replied, "It can't be me. I'm not wearing any."