The Civilization 4 Incident and My Office Phone Dilemma

If you're familiar with the strategy PC gaming series "Civilization," you probably know that it's only slightly less addictive than crack. Although I've never tried crack, the "word on the street," so to speak, is that it's incredibly hard to let go of. Civilization, with its complex mechanics and the thrill of building empires, draws you in and keeps you hooked for hours. I recently purchased Civilization 4, the latest installment in the Civilization series, and what ensued at my job because of it is a tale worth telling. I work as a network administrator for a large insurance company in Illinois, and let's just say my love for Civilization nearly cost me my job.

Part of my job involves repairing PCs as needed, which is quite often considering how many there are around this place. This routine was all fine and dandy until I shared my excitement about Civilization 4 with my coworker, who happens to be just as much of a Civilization fanatic as I am. He suggested that I bring the game to work so we could give it a "test run" during our breaks. Against my better judgment, we decided to play a "hot seat" game during work hours. For those unfamiliar, "hot seat" refers to a mode in turn-based games like Civilization, where one player takes a turn, followed by the other, on the same computer. It seemed like a harmless idea at the time. We figured that there would always be one of us available to answer the phone in our little repair-shop cubbyhole, so we didn't see how we could possibly get caught. But, boy, were we wrong!

About four hours into the game, things started heating up. My civilization discovered his civilization, and, as one might expect, we started going to war against each other. The excitement was palpable. I sat down to take my turn, and my coworker decided to head off to the bathroom. And then, the dreaded phone rang.

Now, this wasn’t just any phone it was my office phone, part of an advanced telephone system that could have been designed by the devil himself. This telephone system is a bane to my existence. I chose not to pick up the phone, thinking that if I didn’t, the person on the other end wouldn’t hear the Civ theme music or the explosive sound of my Panzers obliterating his infantry. But in my haste to continue the game, I completely forgot about one crucial feature of our telephone system.

Our phone system, being as "advanced" as it is, allows anyone to communicate with us on an open speakerphone if we're not already on the phone. My boss, who had apparently been trying to reach us, utilized this feature since no one answered the phone while I was engrossed in my turn. To make matters worse, I wasn't just playing silently; I was loudly bragging to myself about how well I was doing in the game, completely oblivious to the fact that my boss was about to catch me in the act. Before I knew it, I found myself being called into his office.

I spent that afternoon nervously explaining myself, and fortunately, I was only reprimanded and not fired. However, the incident left a lasting impression not just on me, but also on my coworker, who still jokes about it at my expense. The experience taught me several valuable lessons, the most important being that office phones, especially those connected to sophisticated telephone systems, are not to be underestimated.

The Curse of the Office Phone

Let’s take a moment to discuss the broader implications of office telephones, particularly the ones with advanced telephone systems. These phone systems are designed to streamline communication in the workplace, ensuring that no call goes unanswered. However, for someone like me, who just wanted to sneak in a bit of gameplay during a slow workday, they can feel like a curse.

The phones in our office are part of a comprehensive telephone system that connects every desk and cubicle. This telephone system is designed for efficiency, allowing for features such as speakerphone communication, call forwarding, and even voicemail-to-email transcription. These features are incredibly useful for business operations, but they also mean that there’s no escaping the phone, no matter how much you might want to.

Phones and telephone systems have come a long way since their invention. The first telephones were simple devices, designed to transmit voice signals over a distance. Today, telephones have evolved into complex systems that integrate with computers, manage multiple lines, and even support video calls. The telephone system in our office is a testament to this evolution, but it's also a constant reminder of how technology, while useful, can also be intrusive.

Why I Now Dread Every Ring

Since the Civilization incident, I’ve developed a sort of Pavlovian response to the sound of my office phone ringing. Every time it rings, I can’t help but feel a slight twinge of anxiety. What if it’s my boss again? What if I’ve done something wrong? Or worse, what if someone hears something they’re not supposed to because of the speakerphone feature? These thoughts run through my mind every time the phone rings.

But it’s not just about the phone itself it’s about what it represents. The phone and the telephone system are symbols of the constant connection that modern workplaces demand. There’s no real escape, no true privacy, and no moment when you’re completely off the grid. The phone is always there, ready to ring at the most inconvenient times, dragging you back into the grind of work, even if you’re just trying to relax for a moment.

A Love-Hate Relationship with Technology

As much as I hate my office phone, I can’t deny its importance. It’s a necessary tool for communication in the workplace, and in many ways, it makes our jobs easier. The telephone system ensures that we can always be reached, that no call is missed, and that communication flows smoothly throughout the office. In a large company like ours, this is crucial.

However, my experience with Civilization 4 and the subsequent fallout have made me more aware of the darker side of technology. It’s easy to get caught up in the convenience and forget about the potential consequences. Technology, whether it’s a game like Civilization or an advanced telephone system, can be both a blessing and a curse. The outcome hinges entirely on how it is utilized.

Conclusion

In the end, my experience with Civilization 4 and my office phone was a wake-up call literally and figuratively. It reminded me that while technology can offer incredible entertainment and convenience, it also requires responsibility and awareness. My office phone, with its advanced telephone system, taught me that there’s no such thing as a harmless distraction at work. Whether it’s a ringing phone or a turn in a game, everything has its time and place. And as much as I might hate my office phone, I’ve learned to respect it, because in the modern workplace, it’s a tool that demands my attention, whether I like it or not.

So, the next time you find yourself tempted to sneak in a bit of gameplay at work, remember my story. And whatever you do, don’t underestimate the power of a phone ring it might just be your boss on the other end.