Surviving

I truly dig the reality TV show Survivor, and am glad to have a working VCR so I can catch Survivor Guatemala when it comes on Thursday nights. (If you're not familiar with the show, read up on http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor11/.)

I have to admit, though, that when I watch the show I sort of do this mental double-take and just laugh... You see, there's an eery life parallel. I'm increasingly convinced that the game of Survivor is actually a lot like my job, or for that matter, the American workplace. Allow me to elaborate.

1) You're a bunch of random people stuck in this foreign place, forced to halfway learn the culture and maneuver through the hostile environment without killing each other.

2) There's usually at least one person around who's bossy (whether or not they're the designated boss) and succeeds in stirring up people's anger with each new power-hungry command.

3) Speaking of stirring up, there's usually at least one troublemaker who just idles about, putting bugs in people's ears that usually add up to somebody's demise... if not the troublemaker's themselves.

4) Those who lay low and remain under the radar usually end up going the furthest, I think. Especially if they play dumb at just the right moments.

5) He who speaks his mind haphazardly usually ends up on the chopping block unless everyone else agrees with him.

6) Those who are deprived of sufficient nutrients (i.e., lunch) end up cranky and showing their true colors. Often to their demise.

7) Those who are rewarded are often looked on with some jealousy and, if it goes to their heads, their actions often lead to their termination.

8) Everyone is periodically thrown together for a stressful, time-sensitive challenge that's momentarily exciting but then seems sort of childish and a bit dumb later on. Those who fail during the challenge are often terminated.

Sigh. If only a million-dollar prize were waiting for you the end of the American workday. Or at least a chance to watch yourself on TV.