Computer vs. Mute button

如果我问你：What is the most critical invention in the office space? 很多人会毫不犹豫的回答，电脑啊。但最近我越来越觉得是另外一个东西，它好像很不起眼，但其实在我们实在少不了它，那就是电话上的 mute button。

现在给个实例吧：
前几天有个电话会议，客户正在发言：“I think we should try a different structure... such as ...xxx.... xxx....”
这时候有个SVP就按了一下 mute，然后就是：“What a fucking idiot!! I told him numerous times that his whatever structure doesn’t work... xxx... xxx.... We need to use our structure.... What a waste of my fucking time!!”
同时客户还在不疾不徐的说：“........ In that way, we can save some money and ....xxx..... What do you guys think?”
那个SVP马上又按了一下mute，恢复到通话状态，“I definitely agree with you that .... xxx...xxxx... what you said makes a lot of sense.... However, if we look at the market conditions as of this very moment.... xxx.... xxxx.... we still believe that our structure gives you the most bang-for-the-buck.”
客户一听，很开心的说：“if that’s the case, let’s proceed with your proposed structure then.”

坐在旁边的我就一直在思考这个问题：“如果那个mute button哪天malfunction了会怎么样？” 客户会不会马上在另一端对骂呢？ 还是假装没听见？还是？？我是不是应该某一天让它“失灵”一下呢？？我越想越觉得好笑，就不禁笑出声来，居然引来数人侧目。

所以我真觉得这个mute按钮学问太大了，如果没了的话，conference call真不知道会变成什么样呢