Murphy's Law
and others.

- It’s a comfort to know that some laws can’t be broken.

In an era when vocal intellectuals are preaching that “law-
and-order” is a dirty word, it is definitely re-assuring to
know that even the most hardened criminal cannot break
the law of gravity, for instance.

And how could we operate hydro if people were able to
flout Ohm’s Law?

The laws that really govern our behaviour are much
more powerful than federal statutes, provincial acts, or
municipal codes.

Here are a few fundamental laws with our own added

: ‘on...

Murphy’s Law - If there is a way to do it wrong, it will
be done wrong - at the most inopportune tis#& Murphy’s
_Law (variations) - Nothing is as easy as“it looks.

Everything takes longer than you think it will. If
~-anything can go wrong it will. An undesirable event
_.which can’t happen will.

‘Kelly’s Law - Murphy was an optimist.

Parkinson’s Law - Work will always expand to fill the
time available for its completion. Parkinson’s Law (con-
- struction version) - Use will be found for available equip-

ment.

__ Weéiler’s Law.- Nothing is impossible for the man who
doesn’t have to do it himself.
Peter Principle - In an organization an individual will

- rise to his,level of incompetence..
3 Ania fy.

Paul Prineepte - Individuals in an organization who '

. once functioned at their level of competence often become
incompetent as they become uneducated for that level.

Mary Principle - If many individuals remain too long at
their level of incompetence, they will destroy the

“organization because their presence demonstrates to
- others that competence is not a prerequisite for success.

Chisholm’s Second Law - Any time things appear to be
going well, you have overlooked something.

Lindberg’s “Principle of the Vital Few” - 90 per cent of
the work is accomplished by 10 per cent of the work force.

Competent Para-professional Law - Every top-echelon
class is backed up by a competent lower class, without
which the top echelon would soon be exposed as helpless.
The reason the Competent Para-proffesional Principle is a
rigid caste system: secretaries can’t become the boss; nur-
ses can’t become the doctors; production line workers
can’t become plant managers; linemen can’t become
engineers; enlisted men can’t become officers.

Porridge’s Law - A dropped piece of toast will always
land butter side down.
Churchill’s Payday Doctrine - Never was so little so
eargerly awaited by so many. :
Bromwell’s Law - Anyone still smiling at the end of a
day’s work really doesn’t understand the problem.

From the Elmwood Herald

from Hydrogramme
July 23/74 ne