Monthly Archives: May 2013

Rage with the Machine

I was in a Japanese restaurant several months ago and they offered my guest and me standard laminated menus. Then, almost instantaneously, the waiter placed an iPad with a stand on the table that turned out to be a digital menu. We were scrolling, tapping and searching through all the pictures of the sushi they made. With sushi, in particular, this was a great tool to use when choosing the right platter. While the iPad was only at our table for a short period, it was a nice alternative to a purely text-based menu. The use of an iPad as a menu is a growing trend in restaurants these days. There is definitely a coolness factor to it.

While on vacation in California, my family and I stopped in the hot, yet luxurious, Palm Desert. After walking inside one of the many stores, I asked the salesperson if they carried a particular polo. Instead of turning around and searching the store, looking at a paper with its inventory or rushing to the backroom, she turned and grabbed an iPad and tapped-scrolled and typed her way to discovering they did not have it in-stock. It took all of ten seconds. Even without having the shirt available in the store, she was able to have a picture with an option to order the exact polo I was asking about. She was ready to place the order for me on the spot, if I was so inclined.

Wow. Now that’s customer service.

Like restaurants, there seem to be more and more iPads/tablets used for businesses, from retail to the local cupcake shop Tin in suburban Columbus, Ohio. The convenience works both ways, for customers as well as employees.

U.S. citizens have been increasingly encouraged to file their taxes online (ie-paperless). While doing work online is certainly faster and more efficient in some ways (I’ve participated in this practice as an fyi), we can all recall the story of when hackers got their digital hands on thousands of sensitive materials from The Pentagon. If hackers can find their way into The Pentagon…

However tempting this convenience appears (and it is), we do need to remain cognizant of the risks.

The point is that we tend to be trending towards, however slowly, a paperless society. There are positives, without question, but also definite negatives to this digital evolution. It reminded me of a short clip from a show about this very reality occurring with the Millennials, my generation.

An Idea for a Super Premiere

Moore, Oklahoma will never be the same after the EF-5 tornado tore through with unfathomable destruction. But, the people and community will heal in time. They are proving to be extraordinarily resilient and they will rebuild, despite the fact the memories of this tragedy will never simply be seen in a rear-view mirror. Still, it will get better. And yet, what would probably help at this point, beyond treasure chest after treasure chest of money and comfort for the people who lost everything, including loved ones, are perhaps a few little glimmers of inspiration and help for afar.

The clean-up and rehabilitation of the town will be non-stop for years. In the midst of all that is occurring, I have a suggestion for something to take place about three-three and a half weeks from today. I propose that Warner Bros. and everybody involved (cast, crew, director, producers, marketers, studio heads, etc.) in “Man of Steel” visit Moore, Oklahoma for a weekend and help in any way possible. This would involve cleaning, building, searching, consoling and anything and everything that the town needs. In one area would be director Zack Snyder lifting heavy metal of a store with members of the community to producer Christopher Nolan helping to clean up a street unrecognizable now to families to Amy Adams and the ‘man of steel’ himself Henry Cavill moving rubble and offering comfort to families (especially children) in another area. This pattern of generosity would be widespread throughout the entire area affected by the tornado.

People helping people.

Then, on the night the highly anticipated movie was scheduled to premiere to the world, Warner Bros. would bring in a giant projection screen to a cleared field or area where everybody from Moore, Oklahoma, its many outside helpers and the actors, producers, writers, grips, executives, etc. would disperse throughout the crowd to watch on blankets and/or grandstand seats to watch “Man of Steel” for the first time anywhere in the world. There would be complimentary popcorn, drinks, food, you name it with “Man of Steel” packaging. If this weekend and movie premiere could offer the people of the tornado-ravaged community time to temporarily escape from their reality, then it would be a success.

It’s important to note that this event would not be publicized to the public before it occurs, but secretly arranged between the studio and the local government. In essence, it would be a complete surprise for the citizens of Moore, Oklahoma!

Movies are meant, in part, to offer the audience a time to escape, dream and to be inspired. Maybe what the men, women and children in this town needs is Superman. The character of Clark Kent was raised in the Midwest. In many ways, he’s the perfect superhero/savior for this community right now. This event could also give them some assurance that they are not alone and that people for all over do care well beyond the few days of initial media coverage by the networks.

To “Man of Steel” & Warner Bros.: Even if only for a day or two…even if only for a couple of hours, show the people of Moore, Oklahoma the new movie of the greatest superhero of all-time…all the while showing them what hope and spreading goodness to our fellow men, women and children looks like off the big screen.

“It’s not an ‘S.’ On my world, it means hope.”

P.S. A super big check would be a nice gesture as well! “The Clark Kent School” sounds pretty cool!

Or, just put the the Superman “S” on the front of a rebuilt school. How’s that for inspiration.

We’re With You Moore, Oklahoma

It’s unimaginable to contemplate what the people who live in and around Moore, Oklahoma are thinking, feeling and experiencing today. It is hell on Earth. The camera pans of the destruction on television, as well as the heart-wrenching still shots, are enough to make anybody cry. Even the stoic news reporters on the ground have become emotional when reporting on this tragedy. It’s just all too real and, at the same time, surreal.

As for the public watching from afar, what we can do is pray for everybody involved. Also, The Red Cross is there on the ground and donations always help. The United States of America is a country of very giving people and now is our turn to help our neighbors in Moore, Oklahoma.

Though it is nearly impossible to find any kind of optimism from this tragedy, there have been a couple sparks. First, there was a story on the Today Show this morning of how a teacher covered four of her students to protect them from the EF-5 tornado. Incredible. There are the firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, emergency crews, The Red Cross and seemingly anyone who is able appears to be working tirelessly to help search for people in the tornado’s aftermath, as well as treating those in a hospital and helping in any way they possibly can for their fellow citizens and devastated community. Selfless.

The sun will shine again on Moore, Oklahoma. While that exact day is unknown, it is our responsibility to help in whatever capacity we can and pray for everybody affected.

Somehow, someway, they’ll get through this…and we’ll help.

Happy Monday!

One speech with four words of pure inspiration for today, tomorrow, the next day and each day thereafter…

“The true adventurer goes forth aimless and uncalculating to meet and greet unknown fate.”
—O. Henry