Humor and Humanity in the HR Department - Alain de Botton

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/06/09/Alain_de_Botton_in_Conversation_with_Will_Hearst

Alain de Botton, author of The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, gives a hilarious account of his experience with the HR department at an accounting firm. Although initially skeptical, de Button found sincerity and kindness in company songs and the "24-hour anti-bullying hotline."

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Alain de Botton is a British writer and television producer who employs a philosophical and accessible approach to examining a variety of subjects from the abstract--love and happiness--to the material--architecture.

In August 2008, he founded an unconventional new educational establishment in central London called The School of Life, which offers intelligent instruction on how to lead a fulfilled life. De Botton is a frequent contributor to numerous newspapers, journals and magazines and is a member of the Arts Council of England's literature panel. De Botton owns and helps run his own production company, Seneca Productions, which regularly broadcasts television documentaries based on his work.

Though he has published several novels including Essays in Love and Kiss and Tell, he is better known for his non-fiction work such as the best-selling How Proust Can Change Your Life and The Architecture of Happiness. His most recent book, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, is an examination of the modern workplace and the role work has played in our lives throughout history. - City Arts and Lectures

Alain de Botton is a British writer and television producer who employs a philosophical and accessible approach to examining a variety of subjects from the abstract--love and happiness--to the material--architecture. In August 2008, he founded an unconventional new educational establishment in central London called The School of Life, which offers intelligent instruction on how to lead a fulfilled life. De Botton is a frequent contributor to numerous newspapers, journals and magazines and is a member of the Arts Council of England's literature panel. De Botton owns and helps run his own production company, Seneca Productions, which regularly broadcasts television documentaries based on his work. His most recent book, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, is an examination of the modern workplace and the role work has played in our lives throughout history.

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[briandee]

the funny thing about this persons comment is that it perpetuates the very snobbery de Botton is talking about. You say "Not impressed..." as if you have some kind of impression that you need to be impressed by those around you.

I feel sorry for people who feel that way.

[tossmeacarrot]

I don't see de Botton as masquerading as anything. He is an observer, tells his stories in an entertaining way, and looks for deeper meaning where he can find it. Is this something to complain about? This seems to me the kind of careless snobbery he warns about.

[VeronicaBrillonHR]

Human resources can be fun after 17 years in the field if you can not laugh at your self and keep it real what do you got. check our my videos

[briandee]

@jalgjalg

No, I'm saying that de Botton is trying to tell us that we don't need to feel a need to be impressed or no impressed. And I'm more sad that you can't realize it than anything else.

[MasochisticTeddyBear]

@briandee well said sir.

[zinderbob]

I found this clever little clip on an HR site a few weeks ago, I just had to share it. It's called The Capranos.It is a humorous look at the positive impact Certified HR Professionals can have on any organization. This is just a parody, very entertaining.

youtube.com/watch?v=UqMeH9-xDo­c&feature=search

[JonathanBloggs]

He has a philosophery sounding name, that's why. If he was called 'Keith Hollins' no-one would take him seriously

[jalgjalg]

So... what you're saying is that you're not impressed by my comment about not being impressed?

I'm impressed!

[qtcamille]

I'm in love with his writing, but I'm not sure if I'm impressed with his oral presentation skills.

[tyrannicoystercult]

he presents the information, the base data. these are relevant traces from the world, if you are actualy interested in HR and interaction fo people, rationality fo social system design etc. the further philosophizing should be done by the viewer