Ideally I only ever want to come across the word ‘system’ when it’s used by an astronaut and sandwiched between ‘all’ and ‘go’.
Ideally I only ever want to come across the word ‘system’ when it’s used by an astronaut and sandwiched between ‘all’ and ‘go’. ‘All systems go!’ has a chirpy, optimistic feel. Eliminate ‘all’ and ‘go’ however and you’re left with no hope. I know I never want to hear ‘the system’ uttered by anyone sitting in front of a company computer or in a position of authority. ‘I’m afraid the system won’t allow me to,’ is nothing short of a polite brush-off. A convenient, modern-day euphemism for ‘I can’t be arsed to help any more — sod off.’
Blaming the system is an attempt to use the get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s the wimp’s way out, and by implying ‘the system’ is a savage beast acting beyond human control we are expected to hate the sin yet continue to love the sinner.
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