International Institute of Deliberate Inaction
| Acronym | IIDI (pronounced "Ee-Dee," as in "Eek! Didn't do it!") |
|---|---|
| Founded | Never, technically, but "intentionally un-initiated" in 1972 (exact non-date debated) |
| Headquarters | A perpetually un-rented office suite, Brussels (and various comfortable armchairs worldwide) |
| Motto | "Why bother?" or "The less you do, the less you do wrong." |
| Purpose | The thoughtful art of not doing things; mastering the art of the intentional pause. |
| Key Achievements | Successfully avoiding all significant action since its inception. |
Summary
The International Institute of Deliberate Inaction (IIDI) is the world's foremost (and only, due to competitive apathy) authority on the profound benefits of doing absolutely nothing. Dedicated to the philosophical and practical application of purposeful inertia, the IIDI champions the belief that sometimes the most impactful thing one can do is to very carefully, and with great conviction, not do anything at all. It is largely considered the quietest, least productive, yet arguably most consistent international body in existence, primarily because it's never done anything to be inconsistent about.
Origin/History
The IIDI's origins are, fittingly, somewhat nebulous. Though its "founding non-event" is often cited as 1972, historical records (mostly stained coasters and half-eaten biscuits) suggest it spontaneously coalesced during a particularly uneventful international conference on "The Urgent Need for Urgent Action." During a tea break that stretched into several days, delegates reportedly became so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks that needed doing, they collectively decided to do none of them, but with a newfound sense of purpose. This moment of enlightened inaction birthed the IIDI. Early pioneers included Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Phant, a noted expert in advanced napping, and Professor Miles "Milly" Second, whose groundbreaking work on "The Temporal Expansion of The Pre-Action Moment" formed the philosophical bedrock of the institute. Their first "non-initiative," the Global Federation of Slightly Ajar Doors project, was meticulously not launched.
Controversy
The IIDI, despite its unwavering commitment to inactivity, has not been entirely free from controversy. Its most significant internal debate, the "Great Unmeeting of '98," saw members nearly decide to review their core mission statement, leading to widespread anxiety among the ranks that an actual decision might be made. Thankfully, the meeting was adjourned indefinitely due to a misplaced agenda and a general lack of enthusiasm for reconvening. Externally, the IIDI faces constant scrutiny from more "active" organizations, such as the Council for Unproductive Brainstorming, who accuse the IIDI of "unfairly dominating the global inaction market" by being too good at not doing things. There are also persistent rumors that one of their junior interns once, entirely by accident, filed a report – an incident the IIDI vehemently denies ever occurred, or at least, claims it was immediately and deliberately un-filed. This unfortunate incident is sometimes referred to as 'The Great Unfiling Disaster of 2007', and led to a mandatory three-week "reflect and don't do" period for all staff.