The road cleaner

[sobrique]

Once upon a time, there was a good hearted chap, who noticed that the road outside his house was getting a little dirty. So he took out his broom, and started to sweep. He found it was actually rather fun, to work hard, but to have a nice clean bit of road to be proud of. So he started to broaden his efforts, to clean the road all the way along past his neighbours houses too. And for many a month, the road was nice and clean.

His neighbours would not often thank him, but every now and then, one of them would pop out and offer him coffee.

As time went by, his broom started to wear out in a big way. So by mutual agreement, he and his neigbours gathered some funds to buy a new broom, to be used for communual benefit. The good hearted chap agreed to look after the broom, and continued to sweep the road.

But after some months, a new neigbour moved in, with a big dirty car, that liked to strew oil all the way across the road. Cleaning the oil too, was harder, but the good hearted chap liked seeing his road clean, so just put that bit more effort in. Alas, too much effort was required, because rather than sweeping the road once a week, this oil monster of a car would make the road dirty daily. He persevered, struggling onwards, but gradually, the road sweeping stopped being a satisfing experience for him. And he stopped doing it so often.

But now, when the road was dirty, his neigbours looked at him, and wanted to know why their nice shiny road was so filthy. Why hadn't he kept it clean? After all, they'd even given him money for the broom that he used, to sweep the road.

The good hearted man was anguished. He had been sweeping the roads, because he liked having clean roads. He had a new broom, true, but it was getting worn in, and had replaced his previous broom that had been entirely used up in keeping roads clean. So he pushed on, and redoubled his efforts. A determination that nothing would keep his road dirty drove him. He spent many hours each day trying to keep up with keeping the road clean, but each time he looked at it, it had gotten dirty again.

He spoke to his neighbours about the problem, who demanded of him, "how could he let a dirty oilcar come and ruin their neighbourhood", and "why hadn't he dealt with it before". They were disastified with his efforts at keeping the road clean, and told him so. Many of his neigbours were openly hostile to him. Many were rude.

Trying to point out that he kept the road clean as a hobby, for the pleasure of keeping the road clean didn't work. After all, did they not have a right to a clean road, every day? Pointing out that he was just trying to sweep a road, not act as a 'oilcar pollution control officer' was unsuccessful. After all, he had taken responsibility for the clean road, and that clearly included stopping dirty cars from using it.

So one day, he just stopped.

And the road got dirty.

Comments

[veremit.livejournal.com]

So the moral of this tale is ....

*suggestions welcomed*

[elrohana.livejournal.com]

The moral is: people are tossers who always want something for nothing and whinge when they don't get it.

[crashbarrier.livejournal.com]

Sometimes something you start doing for fun for enjoyment and satisfaction become a ball and chain which drag round your neck. People in the long term often forget, don't know or don't understand the reasosn why you started doing something.

Also there is also that indeterminate time when something that is a privilege is suddenly perceived as a right.

You always get people who will abuse a privilidge sometimes knowingly, sometime unknowingly. *shrug*

[iamnotramphus.livejournal.com]

That story has hit a nerve...

[malal.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the lack of subtlty is quickly evident... ;-)

However, it's a very valid point. Ed, you've been the main SINergy ref for a while now. Perhaps it is time to stand down?

OK, I'm willing to do my bit. A few years ago I a-reffed Vampire for Nick. I can do the same thing for SINergy if it'll help out, I'm not confident at running Plot, but other than that...

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

One of, maybe. SINergy reffing is a group effort.

Yeah, ok, it wasn't very subtle, but ...

*shrug*

We'll see how it goes I guess.

Support is out there - is a broom the best way?

[mcnazgul.livejournal.com]

Nice story. Let's get direct. The only obligation you have is the broom and when all you have is a broom, everything looks like a road to sweep. Your neighbours are being whiny rat bastards because they've invested in that broom and you've offered to help. If they've given material contributions, they not unreasonably expect it to be done.

If you need to redefine those terms then do so. If they love the clean road as much as you do, they'll get involved. And while we're at it...

Why not talk to the guy with the leaky car?

Let him know his car is leaking oil and that it is spoiling the road and probably not doing his car any favours. Then see what happens.

This may be completely missing the point of the story but it's offering a solution - we can be as considerate as you like about littering that road but if you're not willing to do it, scale back your efforts. Or stop. If on the other hand, you're willing to do it, find another tool (one more effective against oil) to do the job or let the people causing you grief know about it. Find a better way to clean the road or another road to clean. It's your hobby after all.

I know what it's like to have people involved whinge at you about a labour of love - they often do it because they think either they can do a better job (in which case invite them to) or they want something more from you (in which case you need to decide if it's possible and if you want to).

All the actions have consequences. You can choose if it's worth your satisfaction but given the loyalty of the good neighbours (of which there are a few given this thread) I think you've got friends willing to help.

[mightyaardvark.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the new guy has not noticed his car is leaking because no one told him?

[dj-rws.livejournal.com]

After just reading the story the first thought which sprang to mind was: SINergy. In the beginning you started doing something for yourself but as soon as it started to involve and rely upon other people who didn't understand that you do what you do because you like it and not to start arguements etc., you questioned your motives and thought why were you doing it anyway. Well I've got news for you, people are shit and people are stupid. Most of the time nice people don't realise when they're being stupid or shit but once enlightened they learn and try not to make the same mistakes again. For the genuinely shit and stupid people we have rules. If they break the simple unambiguous rules we smack them down until they stop being shit, grow a brain or both. That's what I'd do and that just my opinion. Don't worry, the summer will be here soon and you'll get a much deserved break. After that you can reassess and move on.

[wilphe.livejournal.com]

Kill them and take their stuff

[velvet-nothing.livejournal.com]

I think that the moral of this story is that anybody who is that concerned about road cleanliness should probably talk to a shrink about their OCD.