Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Man, that movie sure made me feel all warm and fuzzy about big business. What a bunch of jerks. Now, I’m not honestly too pissed about this movie because part of me really just wants to say they got what was coming to them. But it still is sad and frustrating to see the amount of corruption in corporate America. You know they aren’t the only story like this out there.

I hadn’t really followed the Enron story when it was happening. I’m not so much of a major news outlet kind of guy (unless it’s FOX, but only when Bill Clinton’s on). So this was a pretty fascinating movie to watch and take in a bit more of the story than I had heard. The idea that the greed of big money, big business would corrupt people so far, that people would fake numbers or make up profits to boost their stock prices is incredible. It’s obvious why they did it – clearly the big bucks were worth it at the time. And I guess that delusion from the greed and the whole "selling your soul to the business" bit.

While I’m no business analyst, it is clear to see that this is not the only way and not the most prominent way these people operate. But to think that this kind of thing took place right in broad daylight (I remember the California power shortage, I just figured it was actually a power shortage) is incredible. Maybe it goes to show that bigger ideological shifts need to be made. Maybe we stop slapping these people on the wrist and we look for ways to reevaluate business in more ethical ways. I worked in business for awhile and I think I saw a different picture. While I was told to "make sure you’re always doing something that’s making the company money" (paraphrasing), I at least felt like the people who ran the businesses I’ve worked for were motivated by more than greed. It was more about believing in something you were passionate about. I think it must be a horrible existence for the CEO, who’s life is focused solely on making a buck, not on the bigger purpose, not on serving their family, not on loving their neighbor. Or maybe they’ve fallen into believing in their little empire so much that nothing else matters. I don’t know, I just makes me sad (remember, I’m not a business analyst).

Good documentary, albeit pretty bent on showing how insane the leaders at Enron were.

No more praying on the streets of Calgary

Sad and Scary: http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Corbella_Licia/2006/08/21/1767214.html

Exotic Roadkill

Umm…imagine how you’d feel if you ran over a penguin.

American Idol is….