Innovation’s Last Stand
Being innovative is part of being human. Everyone you see, everyone you meet, everyone you hear has been involved in some kind of innovation at some point of their life. Whether they created a new way to travel or a new way to annoy their aunt, everyone has found a new way to do something. But, there is no way to collect and store these innovations, so most that lack commercial appeal are probably lost with the passing of time.
My father died of cancer in 2003. He did not drink or smoke and he exercised regularly. I can remember thinking that it is such of a waste. Ignoring for a moment the emotional part of this, I remember thinking that his memories, thoughts, dreams, and creations would all be lost. That is, except for those that he sold or passed on to other people.
We are inherently imperfect in more ways that we can count, and probably in more ways that we can sense. Never has it been clearer that we want to improve ourselves and our lives, individually and collectively. Turn on the TV, read a blog, listen to satellite radio. Any medium will do. We seem to want what is next, and we hope that it is better than what we had before.
Everyone, everywhere, at any time wants a better life, and that is not limited to poor people. Rich people seem to want to continue working toward something as well, perhaps if only for the challenge.
But as we draw ever closer to solving all of our problems, as we find new ways to solve problems that have plagued us from the beginning of our awareness of time, we seem to be nearing the end times of innovation. As we get closer to solving all of our problems, are we getting closer to the end of our humanity?
Where is the humanity in the mass-manufactured garbage that we give to children to keep them quiet in public? Where is the humanity in allowing oil to spill into the ocean just because it was expensive to include a safety mechanism in the pipe design? Why are all new TV shows the same as the old TV shows year after year? Sure, there are new titles and new actors, but these are the same stories. Is it because we are really only focused on a few simple things?
The Internet has been blamed for many things, not the least of which is the slowing of “traditional” forms of communication. It could be that the complaints are made on the behalf of industries that profit from these “traditional” forms of communication like TV and radio. It could be that the complaints include a simple truth.
In order for us to move forward, to continue being innovative, it seems to me that we need to find our “reason” again.
We must believe.
I am not talking specifically about religion, though that has helped many people to find their “reason” in the past. We must have a “reason” for doing what we do. That is somehow baked into the fabric of humanity at a level so low that we don’t even realize that it is a need sometimes. It is the reason people love children or support charities or find God. Without the “why” in life, the “reason” for life, we feel empty inside. Kind of like an apple that has been cored with a shotgun.
I am not going to give any easy answers here today because I don’t believe that there are any. All that I can say is that we all need a reason for the things we do. Perhaps it is a function of our frontal lobes, or perhaps it is because we need guidance. No matter what it is, I know that I want to continue to make my life and the lives of the people I care about better.
Your Turn
What is motivating you to continue to improve your life?
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Twitter: mikeroosa
said:
I have a great life and a great family and I’m happy with things. I mostly do all this online stuff for fun, but in the back of my mind I’m hoping one day it takes off so I can work for myself full time. Like with everything in life, the grass is always greener on the other side but it’s really not.
Mike Roosa´s last [type] ..Do This And Increase Your Traffic And Maybe Win A Prize
I can really relate to that Mike & it sounds like you have a great (and realistic) way of looking at life.
Who knows? Perhaps someday soon you find a way to work for yourself and spend more time with your family. That certainly is a goal that we have in common.
Thanks for your thoughts and have a great day!
Its unfortunate how we don’t get to spend enough time with those that matter the most to us. As much as we try not to.. I think most people still take things for granted.. Great post Mark!
I think we all probably take things for granted at one time or another, and that we all should pay closer attention. Thanks for reading Justin.
Have a good day!
Twitter: rick_byrd
said:
I am like Mike, my motivation is my family. I want to spend more time with them. I actually just recently wrote about this on my blog.
I look forward to the day when I can make money online full time and have the financial freedom and time freedom to spend more time with my family.
- Rick
Rick Byrd´s last [type] ..Why Do You Want To Make Money Online?
That is a great goal Rick! Good luck!
Twitter: jeansarauer
said:
My biggest motivation comes from feeling/knowing I was put here for a reason, and that I was given certain talents and interests. When I put those talents and interests to use in a positive way everything feels right. So, although it sounds sort of shallow, I suppose my motivation primarily comes from liking to feel good on the spirit level.
Jean Sarauer´s last [type] ..Celebrating Our Blogging Success
Hey Jean,
That does not sound shallow at all to me. It sounds kind of like finding your balance.
Plus, you are a very talented person, so it would likely be quite a waste if those talents were not part of your motivation.
Thanks for stopping by!
my motivation: knowing that I only get one life and that doesn’t last forever. I only get one chance at each moment and I choose to live my life on purpose.
Courtney Carver´s last [type] ..How to Become a Vegetarian
Hey Courtney,
I love the way you said that! Choose to live life on purpose – don’t let it just go past. That is great! Have a good day!
Twitter: TheJohnSoares
said:
Mark, excellent post.
I just turned 50. Overall I’m very pleased with the way my life has gone so far.
My main goals now are to be as happy and alive as possible, and to connect more with friends and family.
While I’m willing to do a bit of delayed gratification, I almost always only do what I want to do, and I only do things that I think may the world better.
John Soares´s last [type] ..Free Webinar Series on Creating Information Products
Hey John,
Nice goals! I spent a ton of time earlier in life trying to get rich and found out that it was wasted time. And, it was for more reasons than just failing to get rich.
The connections we make with other people seem to be the most important thing for many people.
Actually, that reminds me of something. I have always found it strange that, when a serial killer is caught, their neighbors always say things like “I was just so surprised he could do this. He was always so quiet and really kept to himself most of the time.”
It seems to me that people who have a harder time making connections with other people also would have a harder time with happiness. I am not, of course trying to say that all shy people are murderers. That would be silly.
Anyway, have a great day John & Happy Birthday!
Twitter: TheJohnSoares
said:
Thanks for the birthday wishes Mark. I’m glad to be healthy and with people who love me.
We definitely agree about the importance of connections. Which brings up another question:
Are people substituting online connections for connections with real flesh-and-blood people?
John Soares´s last [type] ..Donate-Tip Buttons on Your Site — Do They Work?
You are quite welcome John. The more birthdays the better, I always say (well, I would given the opportunity).
Brilliant question – I have to think that some people are. I know a couple of people who’s lives are mostly on-line. Then again, I know at least three people who met on on-line dating services. The line between the two seems to be a tad blurred.
I wonder if anyone has done any research…
Mark,
OMG, I can’t finish reading your whole post. Jeez, I had so much to say after the first couple paragraphs. I’m sorry to hear about your father.
Ok, (Yes, I’m a Geek) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Summer Glau was talking about how defective the human brain is. She says the defect is that we cannot download them when we die.
I’ve always thought that, what a waste. SO much goes with a person when they die. Why can’t we save it to disk somewhere? Isn’t there an I-Phone app or Blackberry app for that?
Weekly I sync my Blackberry to my laptop. But my brain gains and looses information daily. I swear, if I could remember everything I’ve forgotten!
SO my views about death are rather unorthodox. I just don’t understand. Is that it? Poof, it’s over. Everything we’ve worked for, wanted, dreamed, lived, experienced. Done, lights out.
My Grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease. She doesn’t remember a large portion of her 88 years on this earth. Once again, what is the point? Everything she did – she now cannot remember. Things that once meant SO much to her – not even a memory. NOW, the things she can remember. None of the family can figure out why. How does a brain with Alzheimer’s work? Or not work? Luckily she’s in no pain & pretty healthy. But no memory. Not even for a minute.
I’ll tell her some of the things she “used” to do. And she still can’t believe it, then forgets what I just said.
Also, most of my life I’ve been pretty satisfied with what I have. But people always think we should want “more” in life. And never be happy with what we have. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
But what if we already have what we need? Wow, I could go on forever and I haven’t finished your post or read anyones comments. Arg, this is going to take awhile. I need a nap already.
Scott Barron´s last [type] ..A Little Housekeeping Online
Hey Scott,
I have seen you write about Terminator before – there is certainly no shame in that! My father’s passing really affected me because he was young and it was really surprising. Plus, and maybe this is a common experience, I felt like there were so many things that I had not had a chance to talk to him about. He was quite smart and successful and reliable. So, yeah, I thought much like you are describing – we (everyone) lost all of the knowledge that he had amassed over the years. Every thought, idea, creation. It really made me want to work harder & live more.
I have some experience with Alzheimer’s too and am sorry to hear that your Grandmother has it. Funny thing, the human mind. The connections are, like elsewhere in nature, the glue that keeps it all together. When they start to fail, so does everything else.
A couple of years ago I was working too many hours and too many days when I should have been with my family. I kept thinking things like you describe. Why did I want to kill myself to make more money? What I really wanted I already had. So I made a change & it has worked out very well. This is truly the happiest time of my life.
Thanks for the comment & make sure you take a nap – staring at a computer does not do your eyes any good!
Have a good day!
My eyes are better now. With the help of glasses.
I think the reason I love the Terminator movies and series is because its a computer/machine/person.
Combining all the best features rolled into one. Oh, and the Matrix. Remember when Trinity learned to ride a motorcycle in 3 seconds? They downloaded the operating manual in her brain and poof, off she went!
Love it! Just download some great programs in my head. I’ll be a happy camper!
Twitter: sallyneill
said:
Hey Mark,
A very personal post from you, sorry to hear about your dad, even though it was quite some time ago now, I am sure it is still very raw.
I have to admit the part about mass manufactured CRAP to keep kids quiet in public is so true!
It’s terrible that we don’t allow our children to be themselves and constantly tell them to be quiet or shove a nintendo ds in their hands to keep them quiet.
I think so long as I provide value and help people reach their own goals along the way, then I will reach my own goals too.
Sally
Sally´s last [type] ..David Walker, Sally’s First Skype Interview…
Hi Sally,
I think you are right. I think that you will reach your goals – at least, you will reach what you really want in time.
Your popularity seems to have really skyrocketed in the past few weeks. Sharing part of yourself with others is something that I feel makes us stronger and you do that very well.
As far as the children thing goes – I often wonder what kind of person I would be right now if I had not watched TV every afternoon and eaten Kraft macaroni and cheese (seemingly) every night as a child. I know that I was bombarded with ads and commercialism then, and it sure seems to have increased since then.
Well, I better go. I have to go to McDonalds for a burger, fries, and a coke for $3.49 now.
Just kidding
Have a great day!
Twitter: darrenlcarter
said:
Hey Mark,
Talk about a thoughtful post. I agree with Sally’s comment about feeding garbage to our kids. And I totally agree that we need to be innovative. I can even recall in my own life the periods that I was the most innovative and the times when there was nothing. Innovation personally was my way forward.
Peace,
Darren L Carter
Darren L Carter´s last [type] ..Motivate Yourself: The Biggest Lie About Motivation
Thanks for making it all the way through – I reread it and it does toss the reader about a bit.
I think that there are creative highs and lows in our lives. For me it seems that the highs are during my happiest hours. The curse of the human mind, and perhaps its beauty comes from the fact that we never seem to be happy for too long. Every time we achieve something, we thirst for more.
Have a great day Darren!
Twitter: buildrankprofit
said:
OK this post has made it official Mark. You are my Muse. I think you are a lot of peoples’ muse actually.
I am sorry for the sudden loss of your close friend and mentor (I get the gist that he was these things first and foremost) and I thankyou for sharing it with us. It personifies this post in a really nice way.
I loved the comment about manufactured crap to keep our children quiet too, Thinking about it in that light is certainly an interesting perspective – and speaking of that, interesting perspectives are what you provide in spades (so I guess I should Digg this then?)
I really enjoyed the comments thread too and I think it speaks volumes for your ability to elicit such thought provoking responses from your readers, myself included (I always ramble on after reading your posts – sorry (Im not really sorry at all))
Thanks for a nice post bed read.
Alex
PS: LOVE the heading. Or as we say down under: Fan Bloody Tastic!
Alex´s last [type] ..Not making enough money? Then Change the Channel.
Ha! Hey Alex,
Thanks for your optimism!
I actually was not going to post this one – I was going to go without posting again until Friday. I wrote it as a kind of stream of consciousness thing on the way home from work in the hope that I would get some inspiration from it. When I got home, I had decided to avoid posting it as it felt a little too heavy. But then I read Scott’s post from Tuesday and decided that I would just post it as is (err, was).
Thanks for stopping by sir! Have a good day!
Twitter: jblack2012
said:
Wow Mark, really serious post today. I agree that it’s critical that we all use the tools that we have to do the best that we can for outselves and for others. There is no room for half-assing it any more.
I REALLY liked your line about the shotgun coring the apple. I’m going to try and remember that one.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Joshua Black | The Underdog Millionaire´s last [type] ..Small Business Owner: World’s Oldest Shoe Reveals Most Important Customer Lesson
Hey Joshua,
You said it best – “There is no room for half-assing it any more.”
Exactly.
I appreciate you stopping by!
Twitter: vuelacara
said:
What I love about this post:
a)you speak truths
b)you ask important questions
My reason for persevering and continually striving to improve myself and my life etc?
I feel it a duty to myself and everyone in my life to offer my best. When I do that it spreads to others and the results are magnificent. It’s not always easy but it’s always a good ‘reason’.
: )
Thanks for writing such a great post.
Elana´s last [type] ..Focus Pocus and Other Tales of Tyranny in the Land of Blog
Thanks Elana.
I think you hit on something there that I really like. That is, you say that you feel it a duty to offer your best to yourself and everyone. That is how (good) communities begin. We, being the social creatures that we are, need to work together. It is somehow buried deep within our brains that togetherness is important. Everyone searches for love during their lives and that may be why.
Great thought!
As human beings we are nowhere near to solving all our problems. Especially when you consider that greed and our consumerism based societies drive us to create more and more problems for ourselves.
It is not in our nature to overcome and improve all our problems. We continue to advance at an alarming technical rate. And in the meantime, our essential inability to live peacefully with others that we perceive different from ourselves, remains a static fact.
We will continue to find new and innovative ways to do old things as long as technology advances and money can be made. But our imperfect natures do not change, as evidenced by our tarnished and violent history. And I see nothing that indicates we will survive long enough to see the much needed evolution of our hearts and minds.
Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella´s last [type] ..Is There Software That Can Help Improve Your Blog Writing Style?
Hi Joella,
I appreciate your view, but have to respectfully disagree with a couple of things.
I do believe that it is in our nature to overcome and improve our problems. What we believe those problems are depends upon person, time, geographic location, etc. Likewise, our values are based upon a set of items that I doubt we can really properly identify (at least at this point in time). It is very hard to talk about all of our problems in the same way.
It seems to me that the reason for much of the fighting that happens is due to our need for survival. When we feel threatened, we react. Sometimes that is by fighting and sometimes that is by having a conversation. Again, that is extremely complex; probably too complex for us to really understand at a usable level.
In a way, it would be nice if we could just all of the sudden agree on everything and just got along. But, that would likely have to be at the abandonment of individuality and humanity. I wonder if we could even do that. I wonder if we could survive if we did.
I don’t really have an answer for this, and I doubt that anyone does at this point in time. But, I do feel that we MUST believe that it is possible for us to go on & continue to improve. Otherwise, what is the point? Why not just stop everything?
I read through the comments left here, and it has done nothing other than increase my belief that many people want to live together and work together to make the world a better place.
It can’t happen overnight, and it may not happen in my life time. But, I believe that we will eventually find our way – together.
Have a great day!
Twitter: bill_gerlach
said:
Powerful writing. It hits home, as I believe with all my heart that until we reconnect with the “why” as you put it, we will continue to become more and more like mindless moths swirling about the Flame of Ho-Hum each day. I think the “why” has been sucked right out of us, replaced by the false hope of material solace.
We fall farther and farther from our natural-ness, our deep connection with our roots in the natural world. And that in and of itself is (in my opinion) why we go on trashing the only home we will ever know.
But, I’m an optimist. I like to think that a small wave of change is gathering momentum off the Coast of Society’s Ills and will soon crash over the shoreline…
Be well.
Bill Gerlach´s last [type] ..Technology, Minimalism and the Great Digital Detox (or Can Technology and Minimalism Really Mix?)
I love the way you said that – “…the false hope of material solace.” Very well put.
I value your optimism! If we could all think about the world we want in a macro way, I think we could achieve better things in the long run. I see many people making decisions for the short-term, but I don’t see people focusing on long-term plans.
That is, I know people who have 5 year plans, but not 50. I have been involved with large organizations that had 50 year plans, but not 100 or 500 or 5000.
Actually, I was involved in one rather powerful organization that had only a one year plan. They are always ready to have legal trouble, so they “protect” their owners by having a very quick way out, which requires a one year plan. Now that is not optimistic!
Thanks for your thoughts Bill and have a great day!
i agree that asking questions is the right way to find the answers and that the person must make enough effort seeking his answers
Farouk´s last [type] ..Response cached until Mon 14 @ 8:16 GMT (Refreshes in 23.90 Hours)
Hi Farouk,
Thanks for your thoughts! Have a great day!
Twitter: abnormalmarket
said:
This post really made me stop and think. Thanks for sharing such a moving story. What motivates me to improve my life? Probably my family and friends that have a lot of belief in me that I can make a small difference, and that I can help people, and what I have to say is important…. somehow.
I just wanna write, and talk, and travel, and enjoy every day – life is short
Fiona Bosticky´s last [type] ..10 Amazing New Foursquare Website Applications
That does sound perfect Fiona. I really can not think of a bigger motivator in my life than other people. And you are right – life is so short, it seems that we really should make the best of it.
Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
Twitter: Uzma_Hyder
said:
Wow, thats a brilliant and a very thought provoking post. Why do we do what we do? I don’t know if that can be a collective answer. I believe all we have is ourselves. We can be a single ripple in the ocean and hope that other ripples, waves are similar. Having said that, I must answer what is it that motivates me. Often it is a search for happiness, yet always it is with the intent for goodness of all. I now wish to be able to share , to help , to support.
Thank you for this post. It is very rare to find such a well written and truly profound post on the net. Thank you and God bless
Hi Uzma,
Thank you for your kind words. Waves in the ocean… I like that idea! There are certainly things that we do not have control over. But, to take your illustration a step further, I suppose that, though each wave is independent, each one influences all of the others to some extent.
Perhaps that is why I write here.
Great thoughts Uzma! Thank you for stopping by!