14-Mar-12 Should we measure achievement by effort or result?

This coming Wednesday at the Ideas Cafe, we are discussing how we value the fruits of our labors. 

When we look at the wonders of the world such as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, or the buried Terra Cottar warriors in Xian, we marvel at the accomplishments done only with hand tools and manual labor, and at such a grand scale.

Of course, a major draw is the uniqueness of these wonders.  Would we be any less impressed if these were built with modern building machinery and mass production methods?

If we are less impressed, then effort must matter in how we value something.

When we look at a piece of art, should we inquire as to how much effort the artist spent in producing the art before we form an opinion of the quality of the art piece?

Or should we let the piece of art speak and connect with us and see if it evoke any emotions in us or communicate a message to us? 

If art truly is in the eyes of the beholder,  where does effort enter into the equation?

Should photography have any effect on realism in art? Is it realism if a realist accentuate certain aspects of an image? Should artist still endeavor to painstakingly detail paintings to make it as accurate as possible knowing that it will never be as accurate as a photograph but perhaps the work will be valued just for the effort expanded?

When traveling in less developed countries, one often find souvenirs and items that are obviously handmade but they are also mass produced (by hand).  Should they be valued more than the same items produced by machines at a lower cost and effort?

If effort is more meaningful in achieving something,  why do we not find more difficult ways of doing something instead of choosing the most direct path?  (After all, we value cross country walks, runs, bike rides to raise money)

If results are what mattered,  why do we tend to praise someone for their diligence and their hard work rather than their ingenuity (which seems to suggest short cuts and a hint of sneakiness?) 

Is it because effort is something that we can see whereas ingenuity is difficult to grasp?

Does knowing about the effort involved connect us more to the result and value it more?  Maybe the art is in the connection with the artist and the process of creating the art.  Therefore, effort becomes integral to the history and narrative associated with the art piece.

When we are told that someone is hardworking, what kind of person do we think of? Trustworthy? Dependable? Do extras just in case?

When we are told that someone is results oriented, do we think this person tends to 1. Cut corners?  2. May sacrifice something or someone in order to reach a goal?  3. Looks to cut out unnecessary work?

Finally, I am reminded of an earlier cafe discussion when some of us said that saying to someone "let's do lunch" is actually saying that we are not likely to get together with this someone again.  Is characterizing someone as a "hard worker" actually saying they are not smart enough to work faster or more efficiently?

I have been surprised so often that I would not be surprised by this one.

Come join us and let us know your ideas.