I recently twitted about my problem with using the word “resource” when referring to people. I have no problem when we use it for other things like printers, projectors, rooms, etc… but it makes me gag in the context of people.
Let’s use it in a sentence shall we?
“We need more resources to finish this project on time”. There is so much evil on this bit that I am just going to highlight that “resources” here, are not new servers, monitors or keyboards for pairing.
“We have allocated our resources to be 50% dedicated to this effort” Wow! Bad, bad, bad.
“This printer is not working; I need a new resource to print this document”. Thank you. You can even come to my house and print on my printer.
By calling me a “resource”, you dehumanize me. You reinforce the myth of software as a factory. You bring me back to the ages of gold mining, when an exhausted miner could be replaced by any other person. You really don’t motivate me to do my best.
Honestly working with a bunch of resources isn’t very fun. If you can’t hang with some super cool programmer dudes, why show up to work? More resources does not mean more output, but more rock star programmers means more fun!
I couldn’t agree more. It’s even worse when you hear someone refer to their own teammate as a resource. If I ever say the word, please smack me.
<sarcasm>That’s why HR put the “Human” before “Resources”.</sarcasm>
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