[Ailist] RE: OD job descriptions Bring back the Court Jester role

[Andre Ling]

I did a go google search and found an interesting page about jesters :)

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/640914.html

Check it out... in brief though, this is what it says on the topic of who
gets to be a jester!

An individual court jester in Europe could emerge from a wide range of
backgrounds: an erudite but nonconformist university dropout, a monk thrown
out of a priory for nun frolics, a *jongleur* with exceptional verbal or
physical dexterity, or the apprentice of a village blacksmith whose fooling
amused a passing nobleman. Just as a modern-day television stand-up comedian
might begin his career on the pub and club circuit, so a would-be jester
could make it big time in court if he was lucky enough to be spotted. In
addition, a poet, musician, or scholar could also become a court jester.
The recruiting of jesters was tremendously informal and meritocratic,
perhaps indicating greater mobility and fluidity in past society than is
often supposed.

There's plenty more about jesters on that page too - including lots of
anecdotes!

Enjoy!

Andre

2008/5/19 Kevin Kervick <kervick at comcast.net>:

> How did one receive the right to be called jester?
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
>  Excerpt:
>>
>> The jester has a rich tradition in history. That being was the high-
>> spirited character who graced the king's court long ago and had permission
>> to speak the truth -- a truth for which others might be beheaded.
>>
>> The jester had a unique kind of wisdom. Sometimes it wandered alone
>> outside the king's court, interacting with the people in the towns  and
>> countryside. Those interactions with the jester left people  somehow moved,
>> if only to increase their smiles and laughs.
>>
>> Rest here:
>>
>> http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/2007/05/friday_frivolit.html
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Stephanie
>>
>> On May 18, 2008, at 4:00 PM, ailist-request at lists.business.utah.eduwrote:
>>
>>   It is my understanding that in the old English Courts there was an OD
>>> Consultant and that his role was similar to this description (of  Nick's
>>> "free spirit").
>>>
>>> He was called the Court Jester.
>>>
>>> The position was abolished in a wave of reform (efficiency etc.)  and we
>>> have
>>> all suffered as a result.
>>>
>>> Just think about it - someone on the inside whose job it is - to puncture
>>> the vanities and inflated egos that get us into so much trouble  because
>>> they
>>> rule and prevail unchecked.
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>>
>>> John Loty
>>> Appreciative Inquiry Advocate
>>> Sydney, Australia
>>>
>>
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>
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