Monsters pre-date written history and have been around in folklore for as long as humanity has existed. Monster derives from the Latin monstrum, itself derived ultimately from the verb moneo (“to remind, warn, instruct, or foretell”), and denotes anything “strange or singular, contrary to the usual course of nature, by which the gods give notice of evil,” “a strange, unnatural, hideous person, animal, or thing,” or any “monstrous or unusual thing, circumstance, or adventure.” (Wiki: Monster)
More modern literature and history is dominated with everything from werewolves and vampires to pure creatures of fantasy. Moreover, let us face it: we are fascinated with monsters because it appeals to our anxieties and inner paranoia. We do not know how to personify these inner demons, so we personify them into creatures we can see and recognize.
By personifying these monsters, we are then able to imagine heroes that can then defeat them. Dracula had his Van Helsing. The Frankenstein monster was killed by his own creator. Godzilla was technically killed off at least 4 times in the movies, mostly due to the ingenuity of people.
Monsters today
In today’s world though, we have become more sophisticated in creating monsters. Most likely due to the sophisticated natures of our own anxieties and paranoia, but enter a new factor of greed, pure and simple. They are cunning, talented, cruel aberrations “contrary to the normal course of nature”. Monsters today are less obvious, more hidden from natural sight. They are extremely talented in camouflage, blending in with their natural surroundings. However, they are in high demand and with careful manipulation, are quite often home grown.
The Frankenstein creators of these monsters are typically monsters themselves. They started life (hopefully) as normal human beings. However, in the course of decades of selective breeding, unbridled ambitions, greed, they have been corrupted into something “unnatural”. It is not deliberate, but happens nonetheless to those who survive this path of corruption.
The most difficult part for most of the rest of us to grasp is that these hideous beings are like vampires. They live and prey on the living, to enhance their own long life and wealth.
Frankenstein Board of Directors
The majority of businesses, non-profit organizations, governments have what they refer to as a Board of Directors. Simply put, a Board of Directors (BD’s) is a group of people who jointly supervise the activities of an organization. Most BDs are formed by the inclusion of likeminded people who have one goal in mind. That being growing the size of the organization they administer, and increasing their personal power or fortunes.
The members of a BD are (for the most part) very smart, intelligent, and cunning. Many have at one point or another in their lives, been part of or ran a major organization. We know they are very smart because they recognize their own limitations. Although they can be classed as sociopathic narcissists (See: NPD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder), they know that they do not have the required character traits to run a company.
So collectively, as a group of likeminded “creators”, they pick out of the masses, likeminded people with these innate monster traits. Then, they feed and grow them into these unnatural beings that are able to divest themselves of so-called “useless traits”. Traits such as empathy, compassion, pity, sense of fair play, equality, etc., fall on the wayside. They are replaced with greedy egocentric behaviours, hungry for power, riches and fame. So what is this creation called? Read on.
What is the focus of an organization?
Before we discuss what this Creation is called, let us first ensure we are clear on the purpose of ANY organization. You can split hairs and come up with 101 derivatives here of their basic mission goal but the answer is actually very simple. To earn and grow.
Look at Government first. Governments are formed with leaders at the top. Power, rather than riches influence the way these leaders more often earn and grow. These leaders grow by increasing their power and influence over subordinates, and the populace. They recognize the simple fact that by increasing rules, regulations, laws that benefit their position, they (and their colleagues) become more powerful. Governments though are a delicately balanced equation. Too much can mean they can be ousted from office by a conscientious populace. So they do always keep strive to maintain a semblance of humanity to ensure the masses are appeased.
- “In a democracy the poor will have more power than the rich, because there are more of them, and the will of the majority is supreme.” ~Aristotle: Greek philosopher, born 385BC~
Non-profit organizations are similar, but focused more on unbridled growth and riches. That is not to say they do not serve a vital function in society today. The better ones most certainly do! Nevertheless, their sole purpose is to grow the organization, and the salaries and power of the leaders. How? By careful manipulation of incoming wealth into “expenses”. Leaders expect high salaries for their roles as extraordinary individuals who have successfully led the organization. Would it surprise you to know that one of the highest paid “non-profit” organization leader in the world makes in excess of £25 million a year? Top 10 highest paid non-profit leaders.
Nevertheless, let us move on, discuss the true corporate monsters.
CEOs, a breed apart
In most companies, corporations, there is a formal hiring and appointment by the BDs of one person to run the company. A chief executive officer (CEO). This person’s role is the most senior corporate, executive, or administrative officer in charge of managing an organization. The chief, head honcho, president, ruler, headman, overlord, master, commander, etc.
Before we discuss these unnatural corruptions of a broken society, let first give due credit and respect where deserved. There is a minority of what I consider “Good CEOs” out there. Where empathy, compassion still exist. Where greed and power has not become the only motivating factor. They have skills of not only being able to drive revenue, but also taking care of their people. People’s Choice, Top 50 CEO’s of 2019.
Then, we have the “Other CEOs”. The corporation grows these individuals from within, or hire them in, to earn and grow the company. The ones that make a mockery of the welfare of their people or customers in order to grow the company. With huge bonuses directly linked to the company’s growth, typically in salaries or stock options.
Stock options are one of the most lucrative paybacks offered to CEOs. They are awarded millions of share options at a set value. If they successfully grow the company, their share options are worth more (EPS: Earnings per Share). They can then sell these for immense profit to themselves.
The BD’s also provide other forms of compensations to these CEO’s. Welcoming “Golden Handshakes” to come on board, huge personal expense accounts, full autonomy, and “Golden parachutes” when they leave, etc.
CEOs and the slippery slope
I have never met a child who is naturally evil. Therefore, I do not believe people were created uncaring or cruel. Yet somewhere along the lines, the lives of these select few individuals changed. They lost some of the most important virtues of humanity such as trust, selflessness, compassion, concern, etc. Some by shaping in their early years growing up. Others who are hard wired at birth (Nature versus Nurture?). Others who dispensed with their humanity along the way. (See previous, NPD).
Now many CEOs who come into, or start within a company are “good people”. Nevertheless, pressure of work, demands on their time begin the development process of something strange. Difficult ambiguous situations where there is no clear right or wrong eventually creates value conflicts in their minds. Thus begins the creation of something unnatural.
It is so easy too! They begin rationalizing their decisions with acceptable “trade-offs” as part of “good business thinking” (instead of making rational decisions in terms of the best for their people). Simple daily judgement calls, which they need to, balance against what is right, versus what is “not right”. “Should I spend the £50 million on Employee training or increase the EPS?” “Do I lie about diesel emission standards at a cost of hundreds of millions to our (my) EPS or cheat the software?” “If I sack 11,000 people, I will still get my bonus, yes or no?”
This becomes engrained trained behaviour in the CEO over time, erosion of moral ethics. Soon, the only thing that matters any longer is “How can it benefit me”? The BDs are equally monstrous, prepared to grant huge doses of forgiveness. As long as their riches grow, commensurate with the companies growth.
Proof of monsters
There is always two sides to the story. If you ask any CEO their rationale for a certain decision, they will (in all likelihood), lie about their true motivations if evidence is against them. This is part of the delusional behaviour that accompanies NPD (distorted sense of personal superiority).
But of course, people like proof and this would not be a very good article without some choice examples. So how about: –
- Sack 7,000 people yet keep my £810,000 salary + bonuses?
- Use my position to build my personal harem.
- Cut everyone’s pay by 10-30% so I can guarantee my $700 million dollar pay out.
- Sack 16,000 people so I can get my $9 million dollar Golden Parachute?
- Steal $345M in tax dollars, dump 11,000 employees and keep my own $24M in stocks and bonuses.
- Don’t pay a decent living wage to my people as long as I can sit on my $200 Billion dollar fortune!
Disbelief? Want to see more? Enter The Corporate Hall of Shame
The broken system
The sad part of this entire broken system of greed, power, and kleptocratic behaviour is that the most twisted ones are in charge. They know EXACTLY what they are doing, why they are doing it, and do not care. They are amoral, perpetuating the next generation of vicious CEOs.
We like labels. Labels help us define people, places or things into categories that define them. Here is a label I am sure many have heard of before. It is called “Sociopath”, defined as: –
- Someone with an Antisocial Personality Disorder(ASPD or APD). It is a personality disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of disregard for, or violation of, the rights of others. A low moral sense or conscience is often apparent, as well as a history of crime, legal problems, or impulsive and aggressive behaviour (Thank you Wikipedia!).
Can we break the cycle? I frankly do not know. There is movement at all times in government to fight corruption of this sort with legislation. Sadly, mostly ineffective to date but who knows what the future will bring!
Also, do not forget “US”, the so-called “poor”. We have the power to collectively boycott and destroy these patterns. If we truly desire.
