Another little bit of cultural differences. Microsoft has a vast art collection (Oracle had some too), including a large, low sculpture made of wood that is right outside my building. Unfortunately, the wood has been rotting. Apparently, it’s due to moisture. Which is surprising, because dead wood normally doesn’t deteriorate with moisture, and, more importantly, the Pacific Northwest is not a temperate rainforest.
Anyway, to slow the deterioration, the grass surrounding the sculpture was ripped out and replaced with gravel. One colleague suggested it looked like a giant kitty-litter box. (see photo).
But the culture bit is how Microsoft employees reacted. They protested. Quietly. By buying dozens of pink flamingos and planting them in the gravel. It’s been three weeks since I arrived, and they’re still there.
