In Search of Duh

I've always disliked the joking use of "Duh." It strikes me as sort of mean.

But there is one aspect of "Duh" which can be quite positive and that is discovering it. You know the times when you trip over a major truth which has been doing back-flips in front of you for several decades and yet has remained unnoticed until now?

That's what I would call The Duh Moment and it is a time to be cherished. You may be embarrassed that it took so long but, as the old line goes, better late than never.

I'll give an example. It is far from difficult to find jobs where the priorities are arranged so that style or political ties can easily beat substance. People seldom admit to that unless the bar has closed and no one can hear much beyond the cocktail table; indeed, in broad daylight executives will give grand speeches about the importance of substance, but do not be fooled. High quality is not where it's at.

That's why it is important to know what the real priorities are. As Ronald Reagan once quipped about the attitude of movie studios toward B movies: "They didn't want them good; they wanted them Thursday." 

Be on the alert for The Duh Moments.