Forklift Philosophy - Do You Have One, Yet?
One useful way to define a philosophy is to say that it is a vantage point in which a person stands when viewing their environment. In forklift environments, it is what makes us different and similar to each other in significant ways. The problems of poor communication, frustration, confusion, hurt feelings, and anger can result from having a different vantage point — or, worse yet, shifting vantage points — that tend to irk most reasonable people. When you like the agreement you have with another person, and can discuss energetically almost anything with them, you probably have similar philosophies or vantage points. Discussion on any matter can supercharge your energy! It is easy to like someone who is you in another person! No common vantage point is a sure path to conflict, anger, and resentment among otherwise reasonable people.
Why is philosophy important to forklift operators, their managers, and instructors? I think it is important, because knowing a person's vantage point is the first step to understanding what and why they say and do... the things they say and do. In the world of forklifts, there are so many different vantage points that you have to rely on government or other authoritative standards just to discuss any particular matter. Whether you agree with these standards or not, it doesn't matter; you can talk productively with others, at least because you share some common understanding of the authoritative standards that meter the reasonable conversation.
But what if the standards (a common vantage point) are wrong? What if the standards have no real purpose, or contradict themselves, or become irrelevant because of social changes or new facts from research? Or do not support anything except for some hidden and dark purpose? Or some silly purpose, that when exposed publicly would be an embarrassment? (In Virginia, the Code of 1930 has a statute which prohibits corrupt practices or bribery by any person other than political candidates!)
As far as I can see, the sad fact is that philosophies about most things "forklift" are so varied, conflicting, and so often confusing that we might do better to scrap all these forklift philosophies and start over again. This isn't so far-fetched as you might think.
I like the idea! In fact, I've been thinking about this for a long time, and have been encouraged by the history of modern philosophy, the fine people at OSHA, my favorite practical philosopher, Thomas F. Gilbert, and my own experiences and research trying to put order to matters of forklift operator management practices for more than two decades. I don't claim to be another René Descartes, the famous French Mathematician and Philosopher (Circa 1606-1650). I do claim that I am standing on the shoulders of Descartes and others who are clearly the giants who elevate my own thinking with their solid foundations. Therefore, I intend to investigate a forklift action philosophy that will benefit us all. Let's see where these articles take me — and you, if you're interested.
Should I revive the Discussion Forum so we can discuss?
Gotta GO,
Joe