Rear End Politics

By James Gilbert Pynn

Cubicles, florescent lights, dull gray carpets, the hum of a computer, the squeak of an office chair, and the smell of burnt coffee. Welcome to the office. For a construct that is less than 150 years old, the office has managed to become perhaps the single best qualifier for what we consider white-collar employment. Though a staunch capitalist would claim the office started with the ancient Roman officium most archaeological evidence suggests these ancient offices were a dignitary's administrative staff and collaborators and wee often mobile.

The office as we know it today " stifling and soul crushing " did not take shape until the beginning of the 1860s. As the Industrial Revolution was driving more and more people into the cities, and as companies grew is staff, it became necessary to group people into a common room. With thirty people gathered to pour their blood, sweat, and tears into the business at hand, it became essential to organize the space accordingly and get the people behind desks and in chairs.

With people at their desks, it was essential to their rear ends firmly planted. The thinking was a good office worker is one that stays put. The evolution of office chairs, therefore, is a never-ending quest to keep people working and at their desks. More padding, swivels, armrests " the obsession with ergonomics, in can be argued, had little to do with altruism and everything to with getting-rich-ism.

If you have ever had the distinct displeasure of sitting on a wooden chair for half an hour, you can attest to the great strides the modern office chair has made. And as any company that has been sued for repetitive-strain injuries can attest " investing in a $300 chair makes great economic sense when faced with a multi-million dollar lawsuit. And so a new market for office furniture was born.

And so too, did office chairs become a symbol of a persons station in the white-collar world. Sitting on a cloth-covered swivel chair? Probable salary range: $30,000. Sitting on a Corinthian leather wing back with built-in massager? Probable salary range: whatever you want to pay yourself. And though the office does not seem to have an end in sight, the politics of where you park your rear continue. How the ancient Romans would be proud. - 18256

About the Author:

The status and stigma of modern office chairs should not persuade or cajole you to purchase one. The need to be comfortable, and listen to the demands of your body, should propel you pick an outstanding office chair.