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| Interesting | 39% | 73 votes | Total: 186 votes | |
| Useful | 61% | 113 votes |
Interesting
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Add to FavoritesThe usefulness of a person is a wonderful asset in its own place and time, but with the passage of time usefulness can sometimes wear off without the person's adaptability of this usefulness to meet other areas. On the other hand, interestingness always has a place through its vast objectivity - there is always someone who finds something interesting.
Take, for example, a computer programmer who has learned a legacy language like COBOL. COBOL was a business language extensively used in the 1970's and 1980's to program mainframes for many common business oriented tasks like managing payroll, inventory, and costs. This COBOL-proficient programmer would have been very useful a couple of decades back, but if this programmer didn't upgrade his/her skills then he/she would not be very useful programming in 21st century web-oriented languages like Java and Php. So usefulness has its appeal and attractiveness during a certain period that necessitates it.
Interestingness can always be a relevant trait. Granted, one can be interesting for some and not for others or one's interestingness can have a limited lifespan for those who have changing tastes - but the fact is that interestingness will always exist for someone somewhere. Being interesting is not attached to a certain need, place or time like usefulness. Yes, one can be useful throughout one's lifetime with little or no adaptation (for example: a talented singer, musician, athlete, etc.) but too often, like with the example of the COBOL programmer, usefulness has its finite time and place in the spotlight.
Interestin g people can always be transient and find those who can value them more often than useful people. It's usually a matter of taste as to what's interesting and what's not. Alternatively, usefulness is defined and is judged by how many relevant tasks can be accomplished through its application. In this manner and with all things considered, interestingness will always be the most valued trait simply because interestingness never loses its appeal for everyone.
Granted, we are using people as the subject to apply this comparison. A whole new argument can be constructed about interestingness versus usefulness when comparing inanimate objects in that some of the most uninteresting things hold the most utility (think rubberized jar opener!)
Also, one more thing to note is that during the turn of the 21st Century, COBOL programmers became very useful once again to help tackle the impending doom of "Y2K." So usefulness can continue to stand the legacy of time, but only when the need arises. Similarly, interestingness may sometimes dwindle but there's always a relevant number who will find something interesting all of the time!
Learn more about this author, Keith Hoell.
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Useful
I chuckled when I saw this debate, and immediately said out loud, "I would rather have someone useful verses someone who is interesting. I know this is true, because I worked in retail for many years.
Being interesting is fun during breaks and lunch time, but when you're trying to get customers checked out, at the registers, you definitely want someone who is useful. You may have been interesting last night at boys or girls night out, but it's not interesting now, stop talking and bag the groceries!
Useful defines several areas particularly in customer service, but interesting is a hmmm..and a head nod, and you move on to someone who can actually help you with a problem or situation. I would much rather have, a useful cashier, over one who stands and chit chats with customers or other cashiers.
Customers could care less about your day, but a useful employee will listen to the customer, and work at the same time. The customer has to know they are first, not last, and that's important in any work area. The check out area is the last place the customer goes before leaving the store. A useful and observant cashier will quickly know if the customer was satisfied, with their visit.
A person, who knows how to be useful, considers their job responsibilities, and will earn their wages honestly, and management will be glad you're on their team. There is nothing more aggravating than to see good ole' John or Susie standing around shooting the breeze with everyone that passes by. These guys are the ones that know a lot about nothing, you would have to give him or her, a laxative to get them to move and be useful!
Interesting is not always a bad thing, but when the dishes need washing and the lawn needs mowing, I am so pleased I have a useful husband, who helps out with the house duties. He becomes very interesting and useful, when I discover dinner is prepared and I can relax and write.
I do enjoy an interesting conversation, but it has its place, after the job is done and you have spare time. Interesting is great at parties or family reunions, but when you add usefulness, family time becomes more refreshing and interesting, and clean up is fast and easy.
What about pregnancy, and it's time to give birth to an eight pound baby, do you want a doctor who is interesting or useful? I will take useful first and interesting second.
Be interesting it's a great way to get to know others and have fun, but be balanced and useful. It comes in handy as a dependable employee, and a loving family member. No one wants to work or live with someone who does not share the load, and that's not interesting, it's boring and uninteresting!
Learn more about this author, K L Humphreys.
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