How One Slow Computer (and Malicious Compliance) Upgraded a Whole Office
Does your office ever feel like it’s running on dial-up speed—literally and figuratively? If you’ve ever been voluntold to lead a project, handed a potato masquerading as a computer, and told to “make it work,” then you’ll love this tale from Reddit’s r/MaliciousCompliance. It’s the story of how one employee’s slow computer sparked a chain reaction that ended with their boss demoted and the company’s tech policy upgraded—plus a generous serving of comeuppance.
Let’s set the scene: Our hero, u/Working_Patience_261, gets “voluntold” (you know, that special kind of volunteering that’s not really voluntary) to convert an entire company’s paper-based learning program into a sleek, web-based training platform. The catch? No desk. No computer. Just a boss with a love for bureaucracy and a distaste for personal initiative.
When our protagonist brings in their own laptop, the boss objects, demanding a formal business case for a company computer—because, of course, paperwork solves everything, right? The result? The absolute bare minimum: a computer that technically meets the software’s requirements, but was probably powered by a hamster on a wheel.
The Waiting Game (and Winning It)
Armed with their new “top of the bargain bin” machine, our hero bravely attempts to convert a PowerPoint into an Adobe Captivate file. When it’s time to compile, the computer spits out a helpful prediction: “Three hours to complete—maybe.” So, the only logical thing to do is head to the breakroom and wait it out.
Enter: The executive director, who finds our patient protagonist enjoying a well-earned break. “I’m staying not frustrated while waiting for the first draft to compile, should be about another two hours, sir.” (Spoiler: It was actually five hours.) The executive’s eyes widen. The next day, a miracle occurs—our hero returns to find a brand new, top-of-the-line computer with dual monitors waiting at their desk. Victory, right?
Not so fast. The boss, perhaps feeling a twinge of envy (or realizing they now have a fancy new toy), swaps the computers overnight. Now, our protagonist is saddled with the boss’s even older, slower machine. This time, compiling takes more than ten hours. Back to the breakroom for coffee and a knowing smile as the executive director walks in again.
Malicious Compliance Level: Expert
If bosses were hoping this would teach a lesson, they were right—but not the one they intended. The next day, our protagonist returns to a desk with two computers: the still-compiling relic from the boss and the previously issued “fancy” unit. The boss? Cleaning out his desk, demoted to frontline work.
There’s a special satisfaction in following orders to the letter—especially when doing so exposes just how ridiculous those orders are. Our Reddit hero didn’t make a fuss, didn’t cut corners, and didn’t break rules. They simply did exactly what was asked, which inadvertently shone a spotlight on poor management (and even worse IT budgeting).
Why This Story Resonates
Who among us hasn’t been told to “make do” with subpar resources, only to watch those in charge scratch their heads when things inevitably grind to a halt? This story is classic Malicious Compliance: following instructions so literally that it forces the powers-that-be to realize their own folly.
It also highlights a universal truth of office life: Sometimes the best way to prove a point isn’t by arguing or rebelling, but by doing exactly what’s asked—with a smile, and maybe a little popcorn for when the fallout hits.
The Sweet Taste of Justice (and New Hardware)
The cherry on top? The boss’s demotion and the company’s sudden willingness to invest in proper equipment. Our protagonist walks away not just with the satisfaction of a job well done, but with the knowledge that justice (and technology) had finally caught up with office politics.
So, next time your boss hands you a near-antique laptop and expects magic, remember this story. Sometimes, the slowest computers can deliver the fastest lessons.
What about you? Have you ever used malicious compliance to highlight workplace absurdities? Or been the victim of a computer so slow it should be in a museum? Share your stories in the comments below!
Inspired by the original Reddit post: Use Slow Computer for Demanding Project
Original Reddit Post: Use Slow Computer for Demanding Project