Reality management consisted of a cluster of institutions and practices that ensured that everybody who mattered acted in predictable ways, often manifest in seemingly deliberate, collective decisions not to notice contradictions. A good example is working hours. On the surface, people work eight-hour days and, when overtime is required, companies are supposed to compensate workers with extra pay. And indeed, come 6 p.m., heating or air conditioning goes off, the gates to office buildings and factories close, cleaning crews begin their evening rounds, and skeleton night-time security staff
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