The question:

Is Incompetence Widespread?

During a discussion with a LI colleague we discussed incompetence. The issue came up when we discussed the credibility of an institution. I thought the institution had credibility, I only questioned the competence of select staff members. His response, "Incompetence is widespread." After a smile and a laugh, I though about it...is it really widespread?

My answer:

By answering I risk exposing my incompetence. Ah well, forge on!

As a web developer I need to pay careful attention to the UI because most computer users do not think like programmers and the interface needs to be not only intuitive but also sensible, and guide them in case they do the unexpected. Does that make them incompetent? Perhaps in the eyes of the elite who assume that the "average Joe" knows that cookies are not edible and Walmart does not accept cache.

On a recent job, I had to edit the copy that was provided because the writer used "effect" instead of "affect" and did not match the verb to the number of the subject. On another project, a writer helpfully wrote praise for Ben Franklin for Presidents Day.

My only solace is seeing the teens industriously texting (or maybe sexting) all around, which must be a boost for literacy, however "eubonic."

One of my most eye-opening experiences was letting a class of 3rd graders loose on a quiz application I developed - I thought I anticipated most errors, but they found ten more ways to break it I never imagined!

In summation, competence is in the eye of the beholder, and I have suffered from foot-in-mouth complications frequently enough to know that I am not above being wrong, and yes, sometimes incompetent.

Adrienne Sasson wrote:

Randall,

Thank you for such a cheerful answer. At this time, you have not exposed any incompetence.

Of course, none of us are above it all and we all make errors. It's is just that some don't know when to say, oops, I screwed up, even when shown.

Keep forging on!

Adrienne