A local morning news show on TV has been holding a second series of auditions for a new weathercaster / meteorologist. Although it’s hard to imagine that anyone who has earned a degree in the science would put him- or herself through such torture, being “the weatherman” is a type of entertainment these days. They did have plenty of applicants; perhaps some did not have college degrees in meteorology.
While the semi-finalist candidates are mostly poised—hard to accomplish under so much stress—the same cannot be said of the judges and quasi-judges. They seem to have taken too many pages from Simon’s book, on another audition show, that is, from him of the caustic comments. Both judges and anchors (who are allowed to toss in their own barbs, along with a few compliments) reflect badly on the normal professionalism at the station.
While the entertainment world is harsh, there is no reason whatsoever why folks suddenly “given a little authority” need to be brutal. That kind of behavior is unprofessional, unkind, and devoid of valid purpose. Those who do not have the necessary talent will likely fail in this world, but who is to determine what talent really is? As just one example, how many “failures” have gone on to outrank their dismal classmates in worldly success or humanitarian endeavors? We may well judge that someone lacks ability in an area we ourselves know well, but we don’t need to be the one who throws that last shovelful of dirt on their dreams.
Those who are successful in this world get there by helping others along the way, not by tearing into them like hyenas at a carcass, before the vultures shift toward it. I truly hope that the good candidates earn gainful employment elsewhere. And may they have the graciousness to be nice to other people on their way up, even though they were not afforded the same kind of treatment themselves. We will all meet the same people on our way down the slippery slope, as we met on our way up the career ladder. We will most certainly run into them in the next life. The future could be quite interesting, for the servants, slaves and victims in this life may well be the rulers in the eternal worlds.