Steering committee: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{def|Steering committee|/ˈstɪərɪŋ/ /kəˈmɪti/|n|}}We do not find it remarkable that, in a century and a half of automotive technology, the drafters of the Highway Code have never found the space to sanction the operation of a vehicle by consensus. A car is more likely — these days, ''far'' more likely — effectively to drive itself than it is to be driven by a committee. | ||
A committee will steer it into the nearest wall. Indeed, only the physical impossibility of a unitary object travelling in two directions at once would prevent a committee steering into ''every'' wall. | A committee will steer it into the nearest wall. Indeed, only the physical impossibility of a unitary object travelling in two directions at once would prevent a committee steering into ''every'' wall. | ||
These are truths we hold to be self evident. | These are truths we hold to be self-evident. | ||
Yet — every day, in every organisation, thousands of well-intentioned employees spend their lives on, subject to, being broken on a wheel by, or being vigorously propelled about the confines of their employer's premises like tiny passengers in a deflating balloon thanks to the resolutions of, [[steering committee]]s. | Yet — every day, in every organisation, thousands of well-intentioned employees spend their lives on, subject to, being broken on a wheel by, or being vigorously propelled about the confines of their employer's premises like tiny passengers in a deflating balloon thanks to the resolutions of, [[steering committee]]s. | ||
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*[[ouija board]] | *[[ouija board]] | ||
{{egg}} | {{egg}} | ||
Revision as of 17:37, 19 December 2020
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Steering committee /ˈstɪərɪŋ/ /kəˈmɪti/ (n.)
We do not find it remarkable that, in a century and a half of automotive technology, the drafters of the Highway Code have never found the space to sanction the operation of a vehicle by consensus. A car is more likely — these days, far more likely — effectively to drive itself than it is to be driven by a committee.
A committee will steer it into the nearest wall. Indeed, only the physical impossibility of a unitary object travelling in two directions at once would prevent a committee steering into every wall.
These are truths we hold to be self-evident.
Yet — every day, in every organisation, thousands of well-intentioned employees spend their lives on, subject to, being broken on a wheel by, or being vigorously propelled about the confines of their employer's premises like tiny passengers in a deflating balloon thanks to the resolutions of, steering committees.
Most metaphors don’t bear close examination. This one does.