Initial post (#86)

data/posts/0023-e2m-humans-as-resources.md

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+!! title: Engineer to Manager - Humans as Resources
+!! slug: e2m-humans-as-resources
+!! published: 2024-01-08
+!! description: Thoughts around business leaders calling people resources
+
+---
+
+The year of 2023 was the first year that I heard the term "resource" applied to a human in a business context, other
+than being referred to as a source of information. Something didn't sit right with me, but I couldn't find the words for
+why until now. 
+
+Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines _resource_ as: "1) a source of supply or support: an available means, 2) a natural
+source of wealth or revenue, 3) a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life, 4) computable
+wealth, and 5) a source of information or expertise"
+
+Let's quickly knock out the third and fourth definitions of _resource_. While I do think humans are natural phenomenons
+and human connection enhances the quality of life for other humans, that wasn't what was being talked about. And the
+conversation was not on computing the sum total of human life 
+([this TED talk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9fHCrP8hZM) was life changing).
+
+Neither the first nor the second definitions of _resource_ sit well with me. The second implies that people are a
+natural source to use to build wealth or to create revenue. Or in other words, one person using another person or a
+group of people to build wealth and profit. The first is by far the least bad of the two, but there is a knife edge to
+walk. "Available means" leads me to ask "to what end?". If the answer is anywhere near "wealth" or "revenue" the first
+definition turns to the second.
+
+Maybe this is just a me thing. Maybe I am too sensitive to feeling like I am being used and hearing others talk about
+using other people hits too close to home. Maybe I have an issue with losing sight of the human-ness in the abstraction
+of talking about us as a _resource_.
+
+Instead of thinking about humans as resources to use, I think of us as opportunities to collaborate and to build a team.
+Through collaboration we can go far: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." 
+
+
+---
+
+## Resources
+
+1. ["resource" - Merriam-Webster Dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resource)
+2. [Every Person has Infinite Worth - Kent Hoffman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9fHCrP8hZM)
+3. [Distance Quote](https://andrewwhitby.com/2020/12/25/if-you-want-to-go-fast/)