CRAIG EDWARD KELSO, Calm Like A Bomb

At the time, I had many bosses, especially since I was the next to lowest level employee in the company (I used to be the lowest, but I was promoted somewhat).

What I’ve learned about human nature in my short time on the planet is how giving even a tiny bit of power to humans over other humans brings out the worst. I do believe in a natural aristocracy, and, yes, some people are better than others. Sure are. But context is always important. Always.

I caught an error in production. Truthfully, I’ve caught MANY such errors working at this company, but I rarely say much. It’s not my place. And I found when I do speak up, when I do point out the error, my suggestion or comment is not valued. That’s okay. In free association, an employer or manager can be stupid. He can make mistakes. He must and will always pay for those mistakes, but they are his to make. He doesn’t HAVE to listen.

This time I thought the error was important enough for me to risk further scorn. I pointed out the error, and I took the further step of relating the implication of allowing the error to continue. The boss for the day looked at me as though I were mentally retarded. He either didn’t hear the intensity of my observation or he ignored it altogether. In any event, he didn’t heed my warning.

BOOM.

Shit went everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE.

Round the boss came, animated and clearly upset at the event.

I was calm like a bomb. Just stood there. There wasn’t anything for me to do. I’d done my part, and when I write that I don’t mean it to be condescending. I honestly absolve myself of responsibility once I believe I make things clear. Does that make sense? I do it in every instance I can think of, from scenarios like these to relationships. If I tell a woman what is up, and I repeat myself, that’s it. She got her chance. She knows, and I respect her decision not to comply or whatever. Her choice. I am gone.

In any event, he caught himself for a second. He remembered my warning.

Now we both stood there.

HIS BOSS entered the scene, asking what happened. He told his boss HE’D warned him, and he patted me on the back, giving me initial credit.

Sometimes, he said in Spanish, people just don’t listen, eh?

*

Craig Edward Kelso is the author of Anarcho-Capitalism (2014), a primer on the philosophy of peaceful, stateless cooperation. His curriculum vitae include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University, and a Post-Baccalaureate secondary education credential in both Social Science and English Language Arts. Kelso taught for nearly a decade in the American public school system, and was voted by colleagues Teacher of the Year, twice in his short tenure, earning numerous accolades from chambers of commerce, mayors, state assembly persons, governors, congresspersons, senators, and even Wal-Mart. Currently he struggles to earn an opportunity to be employed, working as a laborer, dishwasher. He is deliriously happily married to Myra Kelso, living in Southern California with their adorable children. 

checalaloskelsos@gmail.com