Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Let’s not attribute to things that which belong to persons.

The sign on the door read,

This bathroom is out of order. Sorry! *MANAGEMENT*

Just a simple little sign, and they said they were “sorry.” Who, however, was “they.” The writer of the sign was “MANAGEMENT.” (yes, that was written all uppercase)

Pause. It is “managers” not “management.” Managers are persons with names and faces. Management is some thing—no name, no face, no person. The only thing I find worse than “management” is “senior management.” There are senior managers—persons with names.

Please, use your name. Please, refer to persons, not things.

“The computer crashed.” No, the software written by Mable and Maurice contained errors made by Mabel and Maurice that caused the machine to fail. Mabel and Maurice are trying to find and correct their mistakes. If you—another actual person with a name—can offer any helpful tips, Mabel and Maurice would appreciate that.

We could continue with more, everyday examples. This should suffice. Please, use your name, Please refer to persons, not things.