Envy for the Losers

One might say that the political shenanigans left us with the short end of the stick. Our group in this large Oceanographic research corporation has been targeted to close, though the overall organization continues to go forward. As I continue to passively participate in the organization meetings as we move towards the end of our jobs, I get the sense that the 'victors' may well be envying the 'losers' soon. In fact, hearing the things that are going on, the most negative thing I can imagine just now is having the layoff cancelled and finding ourselves back in the group. Ugh - that would be depressing!

Some background. This research organization is composed of two older orgs. The "Open Oceans Institute" was a large, long lived institute that was spiraling into the ground. They rode on laurels of several decades past, and became top heavy. Their finances were in a mess, they were largely irrelevant, there were improprieties and their demise seemed a likely outcome. Along comes the "Underwater Research Organization" and buys out the OOI at a huge discount. Unfortunately politics kicks in and gradually OOI senior leadership ends up controlling some key positions in the company, and starts changing the former URO organizations to use OOI processes and work methods.

One might think - hmmm, OOI was crashing and/or burning before the rescue by URO. One might think that their methods and culture is the less attractive one to adopt. Thus, people leaving the combined organization, and seeing it from the outside could be justified in feeling relieved.

Hence, I'm happy to keep working away on my own activities towards our eventual disconnect from this train.