Sitting at Starbucks alone. Can’t help overhearing many of the conversations going on at the tables closest to me — I feign reading a magazine while actually eavesdropping.
The conversations invariably center around business transactions — 2 or three people with laptops scrolling through an excel spreadsheet, scheming new prospects, discussing incentives to sell more of their product ( actually it’s usually a “service”— and often an insurance company or some pyramid scheme).
At one table 2 women just snapped shut their laptops at the exact same time and congratulate each other for “accomplishing a lot this morning” (they were here well before me).
But at another table, a man has his laptop facing a woman who he is (rather loudly) coaching through a series of Powerpoint slides. The subject matter is stunningly different from the usual stuff I hear. He is some sort of medical pro and is discussing graphic childbirth procedures ( sounds like a modern “Call the Midwife” script!)
I want to believe that he is training her in useful medical procedures, but I suspect that he is actually giving her “useful” talking points” to add to her sales toolkit for selling some new drug or service to obstetricians or new parents. While making his pitch he’s saying things like ” ... then shift their attention back to the baby! ... the risks to the baby... the baby could die!” And he chuckles throughout this!!
My stomach is turning. I can’t stand listening to this stuff any longer—- I gather my things and head out.
Capitalism is indeed a soul sucking system!!!
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Ron