No, it’s not a psychological state, although something related to the psyche might be involved, it’s the synchrasis between u-blox and redundancy. A heavy word, both in its meaning and in its onomatopoeic nature.

RE-DUN-DAN-CY.

A word that has become frequent since September 2024, which is when the company’s top management initiated the “measures.” Yes, “measures,” without even the need, or rather the dignity, to specify their type. “Measures” has replaced much more shameful terms to say, like cuts, spending cuts that, when they involve human beings, make them re-dun-dant. Annoyingly useless. Not only are they deemed unnecessary, but they are also a bothersome cost.

And since September, the re-dun-dant have become hundreds within the u-blox world. Hundreds of people suddenly rendered useless, costs to be eliminated from the balance sheets – the simplest strategy to improve EBIT. Just like in Italy, where the useless numbered 200, only to then transform into a profit opportunity through their sale, and since then, commodities to be retained at all costs. Now it’s the turn of Athens and Cambourne, where thirty people, according to rumors, have become costly superfluities, dead branches to be pruned, heads to be cut. People without names, because the names are not communicated, thus denying their very existence. In due proportion, somewhat like what happened with the desaparecidos of South America.

They cut people and reward themselves, because, in the end, they even manage to convince themselves it was a painful but necessary act. The sacrifice of some to save others? No, the sacrifice of some in the name of money. A way to save the investment, the capital. To protect the investors.

To my colleagues, both those who have been laid off and those who remain, at least for the moment, to all the people in Greece and England with whom I’ve shared much, little, or nothing of my working life, to them goes my solidarity. Each and every one of you will remain a tear in my heart.