Wednesday 28 October 2015

Back to Your Future - a message from Marty on 2045

Unless you've been marooned on some faraway, completely isolated island you would know that we have finally arrived in.....the future! 

On the 21st October 2015 Marty McFly and Doc Emmett Brown arrived from the past in their DeLorean (I seem to be developing quite a connection to the Back to the Future series with all my Emmett Brown references!).  In the 80's twenty-fifteen seemed so very far away...and the writers must have thought they were revolutionary in their predictions.

Whilst the flying cars and re-hydrating pizzas have not been produced (at least to my knowledge) they were pretty accurate with the flat widescreen TVs, tablets and video chat. 

It got me thinking...what do we think 2045 will look like?  Don't think about monetary or technological constraints, just think about the most awesome and life altering invention you can think of.  And imagine what you will be doing in 2045?!

I know a 30 year plan is rather unrealistic (especially considering I've never done a 5 year plan!) but dreaming big seems to be something that is squashed out of us as we grow up. 
Imagine the fun and crazy conversations that would ensue if you asked a room full of children what 2045 would look like....but adults put caveats and disclaimers on their dreams or worse still don't have them.   After all our goals must be S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely).  Well - why don't you just line up innovation alongside creativity and shoot them both!

So - I'll set a challenge for you all.  Write down a dream, put a time stamp on it and now it's in the digital memory bank we'll have a chance to go back and see how hilariously inaccurate or unnervingly accurate we were...

My 2045: people will fly (no need for flying cars McFly), spinach will taste like chocolate, trees will dominate our landscape with houses surreptitiously incorporated, I'll be alive and well celebrating (on the Whitsunday Island I somehow acquire) the birth of my 5th grandchild and my job will be buying people gifts and exploring the world!

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Death of Kardashianism

We seem to live in a world controlled by the fear of anonymity.  More people than ever are striving to get their noggins on YouTube!  It doesn’t seem to matter if you have any particular talents or attributes – just get your face on YouTube, increase your Twitter followers and post pictures of your over-manufactured derriere on Instagram (or is it Snapchat or Pinterest?). 

So, besides sounding like a dinosaur that has no idea of the current ‘it’ digi channel, my point is I’m really fearful of the current reverence given to the likes of the Kardashians.  I understand and respect the worshiping of sporting heroes and movie stars.  After all they actually possess a talent and in many cases display an incredible level of skill.  But what are the Kardashians actually good at?  And are they so good at something that they deserve the ridiculous amount of money they earn?  Can they sing, dance, act, play tennis, football or run, can they drive social change, public policy or inspire women to get an education?

It’s not that I hate the Kardashians, I simply don’t get the fascination!  I don’t want my daughter growing up thinking the epitome of success is the latest Dolce & Gabbana handbag.  I don’t want her to think she needs a nose job, a bum implant and some over exposed cleavage to be heard (yes heard [not seen]).  I want her to admire someone intelligent, brave, kind, skilled, entertaining, humble or selfless – there are so many attributes I can think of that are admirable but not one of them fits the Kardashians.....

Friday 9 October 2015

Fighting for principles of respect, understanding and less lamb chops

I got a flyer in our mail today for the Animal Justice Party.  There's a beautiful photo on the front of a lamb and an adorable, inquisitive kitten on the back.  Awww.  Baby animals = Marketing 101, so I read on...

"The Animal Justice Party (AJP) has been established to provide a political platform for policies and practices that promote respect, kindness, compassion and understanding towards animals".  

Sounds perfect to me - as long as PEOPLE are part of their definition of animals.  Imagine it - a world where people respect differences, lead with compassion and strive to understand...I reckon animals of all breeds would do well!

Don't get me wrong, I entirely agree we should be respecting animals I just wonder if our compassion is a little warped when we'll help a cat but walk straight past a young girl living on the streets?   It's that uncomfortable feeling I get when I read Johnny Depp has spent $320,000 flying his pet dogs home via private jet.  I'm sorry but WTF Mr Depp!  But is it really Mr Depp's issue - we live in a world where that's OK.  We can feed and educate a child for $2 a day...how many kids did that private jet fee equate to??

It all comes back to balance - my favourite but seemingly unattainable goal.  There is no place in our world for animal cruelty, animal testing and in theory I love the idea of Veganism (don't seem to be able to execute that one).   But  I'm sure I've never heard of a kind, compassionate person mistreating an animal - seems like an oxymoron to me.