Writer A. J. Jacobs decided to become a human guinea pig for a number of things in life just so he could gleen the experience and write a book about it. We are not talking medical experimentation here – A. J., as he refers to himself, goes in other directions. One of his endeavors was to find out what it would be like to OUTSOURCE his life. So, he found a company and paid $1,000 for the month and his life was changed for the better forever. His descriptions of all the tasks he asked his new team of assistants in India to handle for him are hilarious. He asked them not only to do research for articles he was considering writing, but to write a letter to his wife regarding an argument they had, to talk to both his parents and his in-laws for him (so he could use his time to write rather than wasting valuable time with small talk), he even asked one of his 3 assistants to play the card game Hearts for him so he could continue to write even though he was an avid fan of the game, but, just didn’t have the time to play though he wanted to. His assistant agreed to do this after she got off work. He even asked one of his assistants to worry for him over something in his life he just didn’t have the time for although he was very agitated over it. She agreed to would worry for him on this topic every day. He said it was surprisingly freeing knowing he didn’t have to worry about it any longer as the worrying was being taken care of by one of his assistants. One evening his son wanted him to read him a story but A.J. was working on a writing deadline. So, he called the outsource line and asked the assistant who answered to read the newspaper to his son over the loudspeaker on the phone. The man did so and his son contentedly went to sleep after listening to the smooth voice reading the days headlines. No matter what task nor how far he pushed the envelope his team of assistants were always willing, able and totally complimentary in accepting every task and completing it to his satisfaction. He feels outsourcing may just take over the world one day. A.J. also experiences what it is like to do everything for his wife for a month. He takes on all her chores, he takes care of the kids, he does the cooking, he caters to her every whim (though not always gleefully) and gives her the best month of her life and that is per his wife Julie. There are more guinea pig experiences he takes on all full of laughs. A thoroughly enjoyable listen or read. I will be checking out more of A.J. Jacobs works
No comments:
Post a Comment