Another Study Debunked, maybe

In an effort to save time and money, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and ease public concerns a group of arachnologists led by Dr. Richard Vetter, from the University of California, Riverside have embarked on a study to identify spiders that are often found in imported shipments. It is believed that this work (This Is No Time To Panic) will fill the "knowledge gap."

Citing incidents where lay people have mistakenly assumed these spiders were of "medical importance," and asked for verification before proceeding, the scientists are hoping to provide a means of identifying spiders that may be dangerous.  It is their belief that informed people will make wise decisions, people armed with knowledge will not panic.

They did not say exactly how they plan on dispersing this information.  One can only assume it will be in pamphlet form, or possibly a small booklet, or maybe even a smart phone app.  "Spiders, sometimes they won't kill you."

Workers unloading a boat filled with bananas will come across a behemoth spider, or possibly several, looking to all the world as though they might have been responsible for the extinction of the dinosaur.  Thinking quickly and rationally they will pull out their little study, comparing pictures of spiders with a similar appearance, and they will know right then and there what kind of spider they are dealing with.

And then they will flee in terror, because it is a huge spider, or several, and nobody cares what some crazy scientist (arachnologist) who was silly enough to actually decide to spend his or her life looking at these monstrous, evil, malevolent, sadistic things has to say.  It is a huge spider from the jungles of South America, and there is no way that thing is safe. "Look into me eyes (all six of them) and you will know despair."

If we are lucky they will set the boat on fire, or better still have the Air Force bomb the danged thing, we can still find a use for some of those decommissioned nuclear weapons, no point in letting them go to waste. 

And you know what else is troubling here?  Where in the heck is the border patrol in all of this mess?  And the coast guard, and the INS, shouldn't they be paying attention to the hordes of vicious, marauding, blood thirsty... 

Anyway, we, here at Life Explained, would like to thank the scientists involved in this study, they are a fearless bunch, and the world is a better place for people like that.

Laissez Faire, or Authoritative Management Styles, Which is Better?

Yesterday, I posted about my decision to alter, or ratchet up, my managerial style, you can read about it here  (The New, Or Slightly Different Me.).  And a very bright, educated person who is studying, well I am not sure what she is studying, but it is very complex, (and she writes a wonderful blog about the experience, and manages to keep it simple enough that even I can understand the the posts, you can read, enjoy and follow it here http://cynthiabreneman.blogspot.com/) asked why, since I was such a unqualified success, and doing such a remarkable job of guiding my associates through the rigors of daily employment, biweekly pay periods, and the demands, benefits and hazards of the upcoming college basketball season, would I change my style?  I think that was the question, maybe not quite verbatim, but the sentiment was similar.

I can answer that question in three words, Cynthia.  Brazilian Wandering Spiders.

Recently, at the largest banana distribution facility in Brazil, the manager in charge of banana inspection, certification, classification, and venomous spider removal became a little complacent.  Oh sure, he made sure the inspector, the certifier, and the classifier were on the job, and doing well, but, he stopped for a little Brazilian coffee (which is supposed to be very tasty, by the way), and thought it would be a decent thing to bring a cup for all of his employees.

While he was enjoying a cup of the delicious, dark, tasty coffee with his employees, including the venomous spider remover, a whole shipment of bananas left the building, bound for the UK crawling with Brazilian Wandering Spiders.  They were recently spotted on bunches of bananas in London supermarkets.

Brazilian Wandering Spiders are considered to be the most venomous spider in the world.  But, according to the "Mirror" out of 1,000 bites only 10 will be fatal, which is extremely good news for 990 bite victims.  They are very aggressive, and as the name suggests do not build webs, preferring to walk around looking for trouble.  And, as is so often the case with wandering troublemakers, they are nocturnal, and rest during the day.  Which makes it very difficult for them to find meaningful employment.  So, the cycle perpetuates, sleep all day, walk around, causing problems at night.

You see, Cynthia, this is the price a manager pays for trying to be a "good guy, trying to "ease up" a little.  One day people are calling in because they "feel too good to work" and the next Great Britain is being evacuated because of the invasion of Brazilian Wandering Spiders.  Though, the spiders are asking to be referred to as British Wandering Spiders, thinking it sounds much nicer, and is more accurate.  Arachnologists are undecided about the name change.

This is not going to happen on my watch.