Author Topic: Skepticism in the Workplace  (Read 305 times)

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Offline Spykitten01

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Skepticism in the Workplace
« on: Mar 23, 2012, 08:19:12 PM »
So I recently got a new job at a local veterinary clinic - and during my first day of training (the much-loved cliche video training day *gag*) - Was informed that my new place of employment features an 'Alternative Medicine Veterinarian'. Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed by this, but kept my opinions to myself because I desperately need this job. Everything else about the job is great - I really like it so far. But every time someone calls in to schedule an appointment for some 'doggy acupuncture' or asks about recommended 'homeopathic pet remedies', I cringe inside. Unfortunately, like most low-income Americans, this job is vital to my existence, so my hands are rather tied at this point in time. I'm hoping I get a callback and interview opportunity for the resume/application I recently submitted to the county zoo, but only time will tell in that regard. In the past, I have actually quit or been fired over being unwilling to compromise my personal beliefs and morals just to keep a job - In both situations, animals and/or clients were being mistreated/neglected in some way and I respectfully but unapologetically made my views and opinions quite clear on the matter. However, this time, that simply isn't an option. I'm just not in a position where I can do anything of the sort right now.  What would you do in my position? Has anyone else here experienced anything similar or, like me, sacrificed employment or something else they valued due to their personal views/morals/etc?
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Offline 341gerbig

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #1 on: Mar 23, 2012, 08:52:30 PM »
That is a touchy issue..... and what a bunch of moron (clever morons) to use alternative medicine on animals. The dam things cant say that what was done to them didnt really do anything.

Offline Spykitten01

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #2 on: Mar 23, 2012, 09:11:26 PM »
That is a touchy issue..... and what a bunch of moron (clever morons) to use alternative medicine on animals. The dam things cant say that what was done to them didnt really do anything.

I know, right?  :-[
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Offline 341gerbig

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #3 on: Mar 23, 2012, 09:14:23 PM »
That is a touchy issue..... and what a bunch of moron (clever morons) to use alternative medicine on animals. The dam things cant say that what was done to them didnt really do anything.

I know, right?  :-[

Its at the same level of pet psychics....

Offline Spykitten01

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #4 on: Mar 23, 2012, 09:16:42 PM »
That is a touchy issue..... and what a bunch of moron (clever morons) to use alternative medicine on animals. The dam things cant say that what was done to them didnt really do anything.

I know, right?  :-[

Its at the same level of pet psychics....

My thoughts exactly... Well, close anyway. If my place of employment went THAT far, I don't think I'd be able to keep my big mouth from flappin..... XD I have a (bad) habit of speaking my mind  :-X OH SNAP lol
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Offline Xptical

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #5 on: Mar 26, 2012, 09:39:14 AM »
To me, it even carries over into some of the human treatments for animals.  Kitty chemo.  Doggie hip replacement.  Dialysis for your gerbil.

Vets need to just sit people down and explain that the best treatment for a *really* sick animal would be a bullet in the head.

Offline Spykitten01

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #6 on: Mar 27, 2012, 11:31:41 AM »
To me, it even carries over into some of the human treatments for animals.  Kitty chemo.  Doggie hip replacement.  Dialysis for your gerbil.

Vets need to just sit people down and explain that the best treatment for a *really* sick animal would be a bullet in the head.

I will respectfully say I disagree with the majority of this statement - in most instances, at least. But I have to get ready to go to aforementioned place of employment for today's shift so if you want a deeper discussion, it will have to wait until later.
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Offline Lancezh

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #7 on: Mar 27, 2012, 05:35:57 PM »

Vets need to just sit people down and explain that the best treatment for a *really* sick animal would be a bullet in the head.

According to what standard ?
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Offline Johnny Slick

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #8 on: Mar 27, 2012, 05:40:15 PM »
The American health care standard, once SCOTUS rules against Obamacare?
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Offline vespine

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Re: Skepticism in the Workplace
« Reply #9 on: Mar 27, 2012, 06:17:27 PM »
Aren't we atheists not supposed to have morals? Just go sleep with some hookers and smoke some crack, that's sure to make you feel better.

On a more serious note, I have a bit of a "sell out" job, but I take the utilitarian approach.
From wikipedia:

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Utilitarianism is an ethical theory holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall "happiness". It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined only by its resulting outcome, and that one can only weigh the morality of an action after knowing all its consequences.


You aren't really promoting or "creating" the woo, you're just helping to provide a service to people who seek it. They're going to do it anyway. You're choice to reject THIS PARTICULAR job would only have a very VERY slight impact on the provision of this service. The owner might think "there goes another close minded skeptic" and that would be it.

On the OTHER hand, if you don't have this job, you've just admitted the impact on YOUR life will be significant, you will spend an indeterminate amount of time struggling just to make ends meet.

The right choice is pretty clear IMHO. You would be a LOT more useful to the cause with a full stomach and the bills paid, then you can promote critical thinking in your community, write anonymously to the local paper, or make a website or something else to offset the "karmic balance"  ;) Bide your time, take their money and think of yourself as a mole behind enemy lines..



 

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