Great Speccie article on bringing your whole self to work

If Ukraine wants to be called Ukraine and not 'the Ukraine' that's fine by me. It doesn't imply anything either way though.
Yes, that is what Ukraine wants (I think it comes from when it gained its independence). And they want it BECAUSE of what it implies.

I have often worked at places where I was a bit of an outsider, rather do that then be forced to fit in with some corporate ethos of inclusion.

I think it’s because Russia refers to “the Ukraine” in the same way they’d refer to “the south west” or “the Moscow region” ie as though it’s an area of Russia.

Moonswimmer
@IntermittentParps why isn’t it ok to say the Ukraine? I don’t do it any more, as I can see that people don’t. But do you know what it is that’s wrong with it?

It implies a disregard for the country's sovereignty.

I cannot really follow the logic of this. Does saying 'the Netherlands' imply a disregard for sovereignty? Or 'the United Arab Emirates? Or indeed 'the United Kingdom'? There are loads of countries that have 'the' before the name: Dominican Republic, Philippines, Ivory Coast, Bahamas, Seychelles ...

If Ukraine wants to be called Ukraine and not 'the Ukraine' that's fine by me. It doesn't imply anything either way though.

My whole self likes eating Crisps and drinking wine. Looking forward to doing that at my desk.

He doesn't use quote marks.

Well, he wouldn't would he? I was quoting him. He's not quoting himself.

I think he honestly thinks it's OK/correct to say 'a gay'. And that it's OK/correct to say 'the Ukraine'

I admit that as a grammar pedant, I'm somewhat against it. Adjectives being used as nouns or adverbs is always rather jarring.

But in this case it's at least justified, in that there isn't an already-perfectly-good noun. And it's short and easily understood. What noun would you have him use?

Personally, I like his writing style, as it's marvellously direct and to the point while still being erudite. He's not someone who needs to obfuscate things to make himself look clever (cf Butler).

It's anti-intellectual and views universities and learning as suspect.

Seriously? Some universities, and some learning, sure. But generally? Are you saying nothing at universities is suspect? Did he forget to put "NAUALT" in?

He thinks that racism, sexism and homophobia were 'settled' and no longer issues, until new critical theories in e.g. gender and race studies (as developed and studied at universities) brought them back up.

That feels like a rather bad faith paraphrase. But given that you apparently have a specific quote in mind (from the quote marks), I'm interested to see that use of "settled" in context.

It implies a disregard for the country's sovereignty.

Because? Do I need to go back to calling the Netherlands Holland?

Boris Johnson clearly brings his whole self to the workplace. That worked out well.

I had a vague idea "The" Ukraine was some historical translation thing to do with Slavic languages not having articles.

[quote Moonswimmer]@IntermittentParps why isn’t it ok to say the Ukraine? I don’t do it any more, as I can see that people don’t. But do you know what it is that’s wrong with it?[/quote]
It implies a disregard for the country's sovereignty.

@IntermittentParps why isn’t it ok to say the Ukraine? I don’t do it any more, as I can see that people don’t. But do you know what it is that’s wrong with it?

The Madness of Crowds is an appalling book IMO.

Eh?

I think that's why he writes like that (as "a gay"). To offend people who want to be offended on his behalf.

If other people think it's acceptable to call people "queer"...

I find his turn of phrase offensive ('if you are a gay')
and he's, generally speaking, a cunt. The Madness of Crowds is an appalling book IMO.

There is absolutely some wisdom in not bringing your whole self to work and I agree what with everyone on here is saying. I just don't want to hear it from him, expressed in such terms.

I'm genuinely obsessed with my hobby. Unless I'm doing something that requires 100% of my concentration, I'm probably thinking about it. I find it a far, far more interesting and intrinsic part of myself than my sexuality. I've learned to be quite careful about even answering polite questions about my hobby, because if I really get started talking about it, odds are I'll bore the pants off whoever was unfortunate enough to bring it up. I've learned to make a few jokes about how obsessive and boring I am about it, so that if I do start to talk too much about it, I can realise, make fun of myself and let the other person easily admit that yes, I am boring them to near tears and could I please shut up about it.

I don't think I'm alone in being like that as I've met other people through life who utterly adore and obsess about something that gets pretty boring to everyone else. Can you imagine what life would be like if everyone went around letting their whole self out all the time in inappropriate situations? Just all talking at each other for hours on end about our guitar, football, macrame, cats, birdwatching, etc.

The 'bring your whole self to work' thing is ridiculous.

A large part of my identity is piss-taking and laziness ... I don't think anybody would be happy if I brought that part of me to work.