SOTW: Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin’ ”

There will be a lot of job losses, a lot of businesses closing, and hopefully far less entitlement and taking things for granted. Yes, it is sad, especially for those individuals involved. But we will survive, we must move on, and we will be stronger and wiser for it. What we need to ensure we do not do, is leave those behind who are struggling.

A classic example I can think of is the liquidation and collapse of Blockbuster. It was always thrilling to go to the “video store” on a Thursday or Friday evening, selecting your picks for the weekend. When we lived together in Queenstown, we often made the trek (which was half the fun) to our local video rental shop. My friend Robin bounded up to me with a tattered DVD case in hand. Late evening and few glasses of wine in, his excitement was permeating. It was a copy of the 1981 cult sci-fi classic Outland.

“What’s it about?” I enquired. “I dunno!” he responded, “But it’s Sean Connery… in space… with a shotgun!”

“Yup, GEDDIT!”

I miss those moments, but I need to remember to be happy to have had those experiences. And for those who will be too young to remember, well then they will have nothing to miss. The world moves forward at a very fast pace now and you often hear the sad stories of those who are left behind.

Well here is my controversial opinion: it is not the fault of the pioneers. Their accomplishments are so beneficial for humanity; as long as they respect Mother Earth of course. They allow us to do more, to be more, to have more and to think more. By ‘have’, I should iterate that this refers to opportunities, rather than material possessions and self-entitlement. And now I will reiterate: what we need to not do, is leave those behind who are struggling.