English Composition 1
Diagnostic Test
Due: 1/31/12
Cody Evangelous
“Black cat, white cat; [Who cares] as long as it catches mice”
In life, situations can be looked at and perceived differently, which then leads an individual or a group to decide on the best possible outcome to resolve that situation. The solution is the most important part of the problem and as long as the necessary outcome happens that is all that matters. This is true in the quote above; cats do their job by catching mice, it doesn’t matter what type or what color the cat is. I agree to this to some extent. In certain scenarios it’s not black and white and coming up with one simple solution. Some problems have depth behind them where it’s not just a “cat catching a mice”. More specificity is needed when it comes to in-depth problems. In most case scenarios the quote “Black cat, white cat;[who cares] as long as it catches mice “ applies, but not every scenario. The quote is most evident in when anyone is given a certain task, that person then takes on the responsibility of having to accomplish that task. For example, when a carpenter gets a customer that wants new cabinets in their kitchen. The carpenter then has to complete the requests of the customer, doesn’t matter how he gets the job done, but as long as the cabinets are completed. He could get his five workers to complete the job, or he could do it himself with his two top carpenters. The task is given first and it does not matter how or who gets the task done but as long as the cabinets are complete. In the end when the customer sees the final product they will be happy either way, which is where the “[who cares] “in the quote comes into play. The cat does its job in the household by catching the mice, it doesn’t matter what type of cat. Just like building cabinets, in the end as long as the cabinets are what the customer asked for that is all that matters. On the other end of the spectrum, when talking about more in-depth problems, more concentration and detail is needed. For instance when making anything customary for a customer, you cannot just get any employee to do the job. Specific traits and experience are needed when doing something custom for someone. A perfect example is when a company weaves rugs or baskets. Special requests are brought upon by picky customers and usually need a talented weaver. That is where this quote does not apply. A specific pattern or a way of creating something comes with finding the right person to complete those requests. You can’t just give it to any employee because you do not know if they know how to get the job done. Not just any weaver can make what is being asked therefore the owner has to find the right employee who knows what they are doing. Most scenarios in life the quote “ Black cat, white cat[ who cares] ; as long as it catches mice” is very true , but then again there are certain situations that require more in-depth thought and decision making.