Here is a LINK to what I think borders a very serious problem we may be facing. Or we have already reached this point and I don’t fully see it yet. The load of crap I’m talking about deals with Google CEO Eric Schmidt. He recently described Apple as having a:
“..core strategy of closed-ness,” while embracing that this has “worked extremely well” for Apple. “You have to use their development tools, their hardware, their software, when you submit an application they have to approve it. That would not be open. So the inverse would be open.”
He called Apple “closed” and said he wants openness. Although I agree with him on a certain level I recall Google and Verizon had a Net Neutrality proposition. I guess I don’t see how the words google, net neutrailty, and openness can go together.
The other comment. As he was discussing the future of technology and Google:
“…you’re never lonely…you’re never bored…you’re never out of ideas.”
Admittedly that sounds kind of ideal. It sounds really cool. But it strikes me that Google thinks they can adjust any single human being to be the way they want. We won’t even be thinking on our own. I won’t think I’m bored because Google will tell me I’m not. I think we’re blasted with enough merchandise, TV, and every other “feel good” feeling for now.
However, this cannot be avoided. Schmidt is right. Everyday we’re already told what to like, wear, drive, and think. I guess I give him credit for at least being very upfront about it. It kind of makes him badass in a way. He just told us how he’s planning to jedi mind trick us. But, it’s scary because I know it will happen.
Having said this - I embrace you technology. We all know this is a boat that can’t slow down.
Zuckerberg saves face (not book)
I’m sure by now you’ve heard that the kid who started facebook AKA Mark Zuckerberg recently donated 100 million dollars to a Newark public school. Then I’m sure you heard a smart winded comment about how it’s perfect PR timing because The Social Network (coming next week and looking awesome) doesn’t depict him in the best light. You can click HERE or HERE to see what both the Wall street journal and NY magazine said about it, if you don’t want to click those links than let me sum it up – they praised him on his PR timing.
PR timing? Really?
Who cares about what a movie is saying about this guy or why he chose to donate it now. A mid – 20 year old pulled a Bill Gates and dropped some of his money into a cause he didn’t need too. I’m not sure if this is a sign of the times but if you’re one of the people who agrees with the PR stunt than I’d say take a minute and think about the good this is going to do.
Is this a very convenient time to donate money? Yes. But it’s also a convenient time to help out a struggling school and economy. For all of you who say: “he won’t even notice the money is missing” as if that is some sort of excuse. Who cares that Zauckerberg has 6 point whatever billion dollars. Money is money and nobody likes to see it go…nobody.
So what’s the point? What am I saying? Don’t be the disgruntled guy/girl, hope that Newark actually improves their schooling, and go sign up for facebook.
Shallow Young Guy/Old Wise Man
I’m waiting. I’m waiting. I’m having shallow assessments even though I don’t want too. I look at that girl and think one thing. I look at that guy and think of another thing. I catch myself and become annoyed with myself because I hate when people judge what they don’t know, and I’m doing it. I hear the bell CLING and hear a voice over the intercom of the cheerful Colleen:
Flight 818 to Los Angeles is allowing upgrades for 99.00 dollars. That means you upgrade to business class – you’re the first one on and the first one off. Also, you have your own flight attendant.
Thanks, Colleen. Who would want to upgrade for a four-hour flight at this point? Why is it so expensive? Why do I feel inadequate because I can’t justify the money on the upgrade? Also, when did “business class” become the new “first class” who are they kidding. Are we trying to pretend that “classes” don’t exist?
I’ll just sit here and hope my mind doesn’t wander down the judgmental road. Just as I thought that an older man who with a cane and briefcase, who looked like he popped out of the movie UP (judging) strolled about 2 seats away from me. As he sat down I looked and gave the head nod. Apparently that was all he needed, because in his partially raspy voice he said -
Are you going to Denver?
No, Los Angeles.
I’m going to Denver. But I don’t like to sit so close to all the people so I always sit in the gate away from my gate. But I can keep an eye on things from here.
He was with me sitting at Gate 70 while crowds started to form at Gate 68 heading to Denver.
My sister lives in Colorado. It’s beautiful.
Ah, yeah. I’m just going to go.
Oh. Okay.
I am.
Okay.
You don’t think I am.
He’s right, I’m sitting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I didn’t think this mid 70’s man was just going somewhere just to go. But I thought I was being nice by playfully agreeing with him.
Sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go, he said.
At first I didn’t know if he was talking about peeing but I assume he meant flying.
Who you going to visit?
Nobody, I live in Los Angeles.
Why you here?
My family lives here.
You happy to go to LA?
I was going to make some shallow comment about how great the weather is and how I love Los Angeles. But I thought I would go with the truth route for now.
Yes I’m happy but it’s tough to leave my family sometimes.
And you can’t beat the weather!
(he said it not me)
Exactly.
It’s tough to leave?
I think so.
You a worrier?
I tried to make a joke, We all worry don’t we?
No.
Shit. He said No with such authority I actually believed him.
How do you not worry? Do you have family?
I do.
And you never worry? Not once?
I did. But it doesn’t help.
Well yeah, it doesn’t help it just happens.
He took a long moment...
I suppose you’re right. Just don’t worry about what’s behind you. If you worry about what’s behind you then you’re an idiot. Listen to me. You always need to look ahead, always look forward, never sideways or backwards. Forward.
He meant what he was saying and I couldn’t figure out why he was saying it. I got a sense that he may have made some mistakes in his life. He’s giving me a bit of knowledge that I can only learn by possibly experiencing the mistakes myself. I’ve heard all of this before but there was such sincerity in his voice that I couldn’t help but take it to heart. I didn’t know what to say.
Okay.
The moment you start to worry about what’s behind you and what you can’t control…well…then… you lost. Whenever something happens you always –
CLING! He was stopped mid sentence -
In the airport the receptionists act as the voice of God:
Flight 452 to Denver, Colorado is allowing upgrades for 99.00 dollars. That means you upgrade to business class – you’re the first one on and the first one off. Also, you have your own flight attendant.
The old man got up quickly and stopped himself in the middle of what he was saying.
- Time to upgrade.
That’s it? Are you really just going to Denver just to go?
Don’t worry about other people.
And he walked away at a snails pace. I imagine it would have been a little more dramatic if he had some zip to his step but it really didn’t matter. He was another mystery shopper as far as I was concerned. If I didn’t talk to him I probably would have unwillingly made a smartass comment mentally that I didn’t want to make. Regardless, it’s pointless to worry about what I may or may not have done, it doesn’t matter anymore because the moment is passed.
The man was well out of view. As my mind raced and was anxious to board a plane I was hit with a few definitive thoughts –
1) Travel is knowledge. When you travel you gain knowledge. I don’t care if it’s down the street - you learn something if you want too.
2) No matter how much you want to fight it the older generation will always be more settled with themselves and their beliefs.
3) Age means wisdom. It’s ironic because I want the wisdom but I don’t want to age.
And of course: Always move forward.
Flight 818 to Los Angeles is allowing upgrades for 99.00 dollars. That means you upgrade to business class – you’re the first one on and the first one off. Also, you have your own flight attendant.
Thanks, Colleen. Who would want to upgrade for a four-hour flight at this point? Why is it so expensive? Why do I feel inadequate because I can’t justify the money on the upgrade? Also, when did “business class” become the new “first class” who are they kidding. Are we trying to pretend that “classes” don’t exist?
I’ll just sit here and hope my mind doesn’t wander down the judgmental road. Just as I thought that an older man who with a cane and briefcase, who looked like he popped out of the movie UP (judging) strolled about 2 seats away from me. As he sat down I looked and gave the head nod. Apparently that was all he needed, because in his partially raspy voice he said -
Are you going to Denver?
No, Los Angeles.
I’m going to Denver. But I don’t like to sit so close to all the people so I always sit in the gate away from my gate. But I can keep an eye on things from here.
He was with me sitting at Gate 70 while crowds started to form at Gate 68 heading to Denver.
My sister lives in Colorado. It’s beautiful.
Ah, yeah. I’m just going to go.
Oh. Okay.
I am.
Okay.
You don’t think I am.
He’s right, I’m sitting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I didn’t think this mid 70’s man was just going somewhere just to go. But I thought I was being nice by playfully agreeing with him.
Sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go, he said.
At first I didn’t know if he was talking about peeing but I assume he meant flying.
Who you going to visit?
Nobody, I live in Los Angeles.
Why you here?
My family lives here.
You happy to go to LA?
I was going to make some shallow comment about how great the weather is and how I love Los Angeles. But I thought I would go with the truth route for now.
Yes I’m happy but it’s tough to leave my family sometimes.
And you can’t beat the weather!
(he said it not me)
Exactly.
It’s tough to leave?
I think so.
You a worrier?
I tried to make a joke, We all worry don’t we?
No.
Shit. He said No with such authority I actually believed him.
How do you not worry? Do you have family?
I do.
And you never worry? Not once?
I did. But it doesn’t help.
Well yeah, it doesn’t help it just happens.
He took a long moment...
I suppose you’re right. Just don’t worry about what’s behind you. If you worry about what’s behind you then you’re an idiot. Listen to me. You always need to look ahead, always look forward, never sideways or backwards. Forward.
He meant what he was saying and I couldn’t figure out why he was saying it. I got a sense that he may have made some mistakes in his life. He’s giving me a bit of knowledge that I can only learn by possibly experiencing the mistakes myself. I’ve heard all of this before but there was such sincerity in his voice that I couldn’t help but take it to heart. I didn’t know what to say.
Okay.
The moment you start to worry about what’s behind you and what you can’t control…well…then… you lost. Whenever something happens you always –
CLING! He was stopped mid sentence -
In the airport the receptionists act as the voice of God:
Flight 452 to Denver, Colorado is allowing upgrades for 99.00 dollars. That means you upgrade to business class – you’re the first one on and the first one off. Also, you have your own flight attendant.
The old man got up quickly and stopped himself in the middle of what he was saying.
- Time to upgrade.
That’s it? Are you really just going to Denver just to go?
Don’t worry about other people.
And he walked away at a snails pace. I imagine it would have been a little more dramatic if he had some zip to his step but it really didn’t matter. He was another mystery shopper as far as I was concerned. If I didn’t talk to him I probably would have unwillingly made a smartass comment mentally that I didn’t want to make. Regardless, it’s pointless to worry about what I may or may not have done, it doesn’t matter anymore because the moment is passed.
The man was well out of view. As my mind raced and was anxious to board a plane I was hit with a few definitive thoughts –
1) Travel is knowledge. When you travel you gain knowledge. I don’t care if it’s down the street - you learn something if you want too.
2) No matter how much you want to fight it the older generation will always be more settled with themselves and their beliefs.
3) Age means wisdom. It’s ironic because I want the wisdom but I don’t want to age.
And of course: Always move forward.
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