If you’ve seen the new season debut of Survivor Worlds Apart, you know this season has tribes separated by “collar.” There are three tribes – white collar, blue collar, and no collar – which each also have a typical afri-casian-tribal-sounding name that no one will ever use except on the actual show. But it’s an interesting construct. How do each of these groups solve problems and win challenges? What values do they share? A white collar woman used the strategem that her tribemate should be voted out because she played it safe – didn’t put herself out there. Does that speaks to the current corporate environment of competition and blaming? But her strategem failed and she went home. Good old fashioned cronyism won the day. As per ush, the discussions were all about which of the three women should go home. That is not unique to the white collar world: It’s ALWAYS a woman who goes home first. ALWAYS. Which tribe do you consider “yours?”
- White collar people include executives, lawyers and a college professor. They feel “executive” i.e. they’re used to giving orders and having consequences to defeat.
- Blue collars are a mailman, construction worker, etc. They get their hands dirty. They dig in and get the job done. No egos.
- No collars are an invention of Survivor – but they seem to be people who work for themselves, or don’t work at all. They’re unstructured by nature and value democracy over efficiency. They’re having Kumbaya moments in their camp. Except when they’re being neurotic and insecure.
It’ll be interesting to see what values get voiced, what problem solving methods arise in each sub-culture, and see who will prevail?
- Are the white collars “king of the world” as they perceive themselves in the outside world?
- Is hard work and camaraderie what it will take? Will blue collars deliver that?
- Can no-collars get anything done? Will their democracy in action make them inefficient or loyal and happy with one another?
I’ve certainly been white collar – I’ve worked in offices for major corporations, but as a consultant. My husband has worked 18 years for the same Fortune 500 company, and we’re solidly middle class in our lifestyle. I’ve envied some blue collar people I’ve come across in my life. I think I’d like the hands-on aspect of earning a living as an electrician or walking outdoors all day like a mail carrier or a park ranger. I was raised to only consider a white collar career worthy of my consideration. My plumber, electrician and/or carpenter make as much or more than we do, and have more flexibility in their work. I’ve actually always been a no-collar. Who knew? I can’t show up day after day and do the same job, whether white or blue collar work. I need the flexibility and freedom of entrepreneurism – to pay the bills and raise my children the way I wanted – and creating – to keep my inner child from wreaking havoc. But I’m used to making all my own decisions and having very little to fetter my individuality. Would no-collars like me have what it takes in a Survivor tribe. It’s an interesting construct. What collar are you? do you envy? emulate? or strive to become?