Smoke and mirrors – caveat emptor

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Recently, two longtime business offices closed in southern Ohio.

That is a fact.

Granted, other businesses have closed, and others have opened.

But the pure shinola-slick spin used to (finally) publicly come clean (well, not quite) with the obvious is more smoke and mirrors than I've seen in more than 40 years in private-sector business.

Frankly, I would not be the least bit surprised if some mid-level empty suit typed a very simple algorithm into an AI platform for which to generate a process that would be followed by a calculated and anticipated response to those who might read the announcement.

In other words, those paid to deliver the bad news of closing two longtime business offices in southern Ohio must cover their own backsides – even if their spin is more than laughable.

It would most likely begin with something along the lines of "We are thrilled with our exciting news," in spite of the fact that they just closed two local offices.

Of course, they would concoct some newfangled group name for the outfit, in hopes that soon many would forget the forerunners who paved the way for whatever may or may not exist in the future.

They would insist that this action would not be a step back, of course, but a giant leap forward (or words to that effect.)

Business being what business is in 2025, those reading this announcement would be asked for their "continued support," regardless of the reality of the day.

I am left to wonder what would happen if this were to occur in the realm of public service. 

For instance, what if two southern Ohio police departments or sheriff's offices closed and simply told the citizens living in their respective communities to be thrilled that local services are no longer available?

What if two local southern Ohio hospitals closed and simply told the citizens living in their respective communities to be thrilled that local services are no longer available?

Sounds like great news, doesn't it?

Regardless of any corporate spin, local service means local service, whether it is in private-sector business, law enforcement, health care, education or anything else.

To spin it otherwise, is just the obscuring or embellishing of the truth of a disconnected situation with misleading or irrelevant information.

In other words, it's just smoke and mirrors.

Caveat emptor.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.