human
Impossible, I replied,
gpt
That is none of my affair, said the labour psychologist;
human
But, I protested,
gpt
Pardon, Herr Chief, returned the elderly labour psychologist,
human
Yes, of course, but what of it? The solution flows faster and the operation is easier.
gpt
It is easy for you to say that; for you or me it would make no difference since our muscles have all been developed indiscriminately.
human
But what are your labour gymnasiums for, if not to develop all muscles?
gpt
Now do not misunderstand me. I serve as an interpreter between the minds of the workers and your mind as Director of the Works. As for the muscles developed in the gymnasium, those were developed for sport and not for labour. But that is not the worst of it; you have designed the new benches so low that the mixers must stoop at their work. It is very painful.
human
Good God, I cried,
gpt
That I know, Herr Chief, but the equipment expert consulted me about the matter and I countermanded the order. It would never do. I did not consult you, it is true, but that was merely a kindness. I did not wish to expose your lack of knowledge, if I may call it such.
human
Call it what you please, I snapped, for at the time I thought my labour psychologist was a fool,
gpt
But it would never do.
human
Why not?
gpt
Because these men have always stood at their work.
human
But why can they not sit down now?
gpt
Because they never have sat down.
human
Do they not sit down to eat?
gpt
Yes, but not to work. It is very different. You do not understand the psychic immobility of labour. Habits grow stronger as the mentality is simplified. I have heard that there are animals in the zoological garden that still perform useless operations that their remote ancestors required in their jungle life.
human
Then do you infer that these men who must stand at their work inherited the idea from their ancestors?
gpt
That is a matter of eugenics. I do not know, but I do know that we are preparing for trouble with these changes. Still I hope to work it out without serious difficulty, if you do not insist on these transfers. When workmen have already been forced to change their habitual method of work and then see their fellows being removed to other and still stranger work it breeds dangerous unrest.
human
One thing is certain, I replied;
gpt
But the effect of that policy will be that there will not be enough work, and besides the work is, as you say, lighter and that will result in the cutting down of the food rations.
human
But I have already arranged that, I said triumphantly;
gpt
What! you have done that? exclaimed the labour psychologist;
human
A moment ago, I smiled,
gpt
It is dangerous, he said,
human
No, I said emphatically,
gpt
I invented a more economical process for this industry and I do not propose to see my invention prostituted in this fashion. I appreciate your advice, but if we cannot transfer the workers any faster, then the labour hours must be cut. I will issue the order tomorrow. This is my final decision.