Canadian Armed Forces Embraced 摆烂 (bǎi làn) Before it Was Cool, Sources Say
OTTAWA, CANADA - In a surprising revelation, sources within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have confirmed that the military has been practicing 摆烂 (bǎi làn), or “deliberately underperforming,” for years, long before it became a trendy buzzword in the business world.
According to insiders, the CAF’s lack of consequences for failure and its tendency to punish efforts to make meaningful change or be productive have made 摆烂 a natural strategy for many soldiers.
“Look, we’ve known for a while that if we don’t rock the boat, we won’t get in trouble,” said one anonymous soldier. “It’s easier to just do the bare minimum and avoid any unnecessary attention or criticism. Plus, it’s not like anyone really cares if we do a good job or not.”
Indeed, the lack of consequences for failure in the CAF has been a long-standing issue. In 2019, an investigation found that the military had spent more than $1 billion on equipment that was never used, and that “no one was held accountable” for the waste.
Meanwhile, soldiers who try to make positive changes or improve productivity are often met with resistance or even punishment. “If you suggest a better way of doing things, you’re seen as a troublemaker,” said another anonymous soldier. “It’s like they don’t want us to succeed.”
Despite these challenges, many soldiers have embraced 摆烂 as a way to navigate the CAF’s bureaucracy and avoid unnecessary stress.
“It’s just the CAF way,” said one high-ranking officer. “We’ve been getting away with it for years, and there’s no reason to stop now.”
While the CAF’s embrace of 摆烂 may be surprising to some, it highlights the need for a culture shift within the military. With billions of taxpayer dollars at stake, and the lives of soldiers on the line, it’s important to hold the military accountable for its actions and to encourage a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.