Hey, guess what? I'm at work late again. Today the big climate summit is all the news. Well, that and Tiger being a possible sex addict. So it is with great mirth that I read through WWE's post below. Hilarious. Don't expect much from me on this post. I've got nothing worthwhile to write about really. But I wish I did. Or maybe I don't. Who knows anymore? More importantly who cares? But thoughts like that aren't original, are they?

I've been pondering the idea of potential. You see it all the time -- smart, talented, or just lucky people who seem to throw it all away and crash and burn or let the rest of their lives just rot away. They could have done a lot more, but they chose not to. But actually, these "tragic" cases really don't usually turn out that way because of a conscious choice. They turn out that way because the person was weak.

But what of the more subtle folks who have all of that potential with the strength they need, and simply choose not to use it? It's just not worth it to them. Let's face it, the reason the weak ones fail is that living up to all of that potential is hard. It can have huge rewards, or none, but it's not easy. So maybe you can just stifle that potential and slide through life at an enjoyable tempo. Maybe those people are the ones who have it all figured out.

Wait, isn't that a bit selfish of them? These people could go on to lead, to heal, to build, to enlighten. But they keep it to themselves. Do they realize that they're hurting the rest of us? The ones who would be the true beneficiaries of their potential? Or perhaps some of them do realize these truths. And there lies the problem. The only ones that really benefit from their extra efforts are others.

With human civilization one big evolving disaster, some realize that their little drop in the bucket won't change much for the world. But they sure will be giving a lot of themselves to try. Instead, keeping that potential close to home and improving their own little world while they still can might at least make for a pleasant spot from which to watch humanity's death spiral. Then again, maybe they're just smart enough to realize they may not be strong enough.

So here I am, back looking at the clock over my desk. I have some of that potential. Heck, let's me be modest -- I have a lot of that potential. As I move into management and try to fix the problems around me I get nothing but great reviews. And even more opportunities to improve things. I can see my way up an impressive career path. But I'm starting to ask why? This shit sucks. Maybe I can make a big difference some day, but probably not. Politics will probably end up overshadowing anything meaningful.

Meanwhile I have a comfortable income at a secure job. I make more than I need to, why do I need a promotion except to assuage my (not necessarily insignificant) ego? I'm starting to think that I should transfer back to some of the technical work that I was so good at before and enjoyed the most. To hell with realizing my potential. I mean, "Why?"