I read this thread with such a jaundiced eye; from blunt cluelessness to outright cruelty - who is on the other side of these transactions? Surely these are hu

I read this thread with such a jaundiced eye; from blunt cluelessness to outright cruelty - who is on the other side of these transactions? Surely these are humans who think about the things they (do to|inflict on) their underlings? Surely they are surrounded by other humans of moderate good sense who could see the harmful, if unintended consequence and talk them out of it? And yet, here we are. My contribution: office Christmas party. One drink ticket. Spouse or significant other specifically, emphatically, disinvited.