Shocking The Senses

Yo, here’s my shirt. Go on, take it.

// May 21st, 2009 // Thoughts

Again, a dissertation.  There’s a cookie for you at the end!

So, the CEO of Google says to get off your bum and pay attention to the world.

He’s not my daddy.

However, he did convey the message a bit more eloquently and he does have a point.  “…Discover the humanity…” around us.  What exactly does he mean?  Selflessness?  Altruism?  Compassion?  Great qualities, but difficult to exemplify in day to day life for, well, almost everyone, especially when taken in context from his quote, referring to the “hard times”.  (No offense Eric, I see the company stock has been declining in value but something tells me you’re okay.  Thanks for the advice though.)

Bare with me through this, there’s a point…

Lets face it, we’re selfish.  Maybe not wholly, but at the very least, often.  The activities in our day to day lives contribute to our comfort, status, and professional or personal gain.  From the CEO of Company, Inc. to the janitor at the elementary school.  The majority of people work to make a living, not to better mankind.

Family, you say?  Well, wouldn’t you  agree that when “Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”?  So, keeping our spouse, children and friends happy, we stay happy.

So what does Eric Schmidt’s message mean?

I believe he is challenging the class to take a break from being selfish.

Pay it forward, Plan a dinner party for friends or family you know are hurting during these *shudder* hard times (I hate saying that, it’s so cliche).  Hold a door open, say hello to people who pass you in the hallway.  Forget that you have your little world stewing in your head and give a little fist bump to someone (guys dig it).

I have a little social experiment going on at work.  I say “hi” or “good day” to anyone who makes eye contact.  The percentage of return greetings is alarmingly low.

Good luck, it’s not easy to keep up.

As a side note, he mentioned that rice krispies, twinkies and beer cans were a product of the great depression.  This got me curious and I looked up some other products out of that era.  Check this out. Electric dry razor, car radio, chocolate chip cookies!