Re: Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness
Yes, it's funny how we cling to old paradigms.
We do, don't we?
Look, I agree with some of what you say, but I do disagree strongly with your position, which appears to be that principles and ideals are all very well - except when they're going to cost.
I happen to think the world would be a better place if we paid more attention to principles and ideals. You, on the other hand, have used quite emotive and denigrating terms, such as:
... some grand notion of what constitutes a perfect world.
... We have to make difficult choices all the time, and "our job as quality professionals" is sometimes ambiguous and tests the limits of ethical behavior. People who have to make decisions in the best interests of their families, and who must at times approach that fine line, are almost always aware of the predicament, and Grand Pronouncements about high ideals aren't helpful.
OH, OK. So if you have a family, that exempts you from having and abiding by principles? I disagree. (But do agree it's a fine line and sometimes ambiguous.) Why does mentioning principles or ideals have to be capitalised by you as a 'Grand Pronouncement'? It isn't and wasn't.
... I was just pointing out the fact that there will come a time for nearly all of us when our ideals and principles might be in conflict with those of higher powers, and while it's easy to preach, it's not so easy to cling to those ideals when the baby needs new shoes.
Indeed. And very true. And those times have come for me too, and may do again. And precisely what makes them hard is that there's a conflict between principle and self-interest/self-gain.
One of the tests of character, I believe, is whether people hold on to - live by - their principles precisely when it's difficult. Easy to have ideals & principles if they don't cost - the real test is what happens when the chips are down, or the 'baby needs new shoes', or whatever.
... I think that sometimes people talk about things that they know nothing about, but do so innocently, and there's nothing wrong with trying to steer them in the right direction.
Nothing 'wrong' with it? No, I certainly don't think so. At all! But yes, I take your point and agree with you that they can & may well totally ignore the effort.
You say you 'once' responded to one of these. And relate the story of non-action. I emphathise. I've had the same (non) response too. But if they do, I don't use that as a reason not to try the next time, too. Because that way lies cynicism and eventually the more deadly apathy.
And I've had wins too, helping people - yes, even marketers! - to understand what they can say, and what they shouldn't.
... We can appoint ourselves the Grand Protectors of Everything That is Right if we want to, but there will be little time left for doing "our job as Quality professionals" if we do.
Again, very emotive language, extrapolating to a Very Large and Capitalized Pronouncement. You appear to indicate this is something you've Seen In This Thread (see, I can do upper case too ). I haven't, so we'll have to agree to differ on this one.
Because yes, I also agree that it's worth choosing the battleground.
For those old enough to remember Burns and Shriver: "Ya doesn't hafta call me ISO, you can call me ISER or you can call me ISA.....but ya doesn't have to call me ISO." 
