Over the years in life, I have noticed human beings’ persistent need to defend, at all cost, an idea, a religion, a philosophy, an opinion, a thing, a position, and, as I am often talking about TV, a technical solution that they are trying to get to market. Social Media has amplified all of this. It really is astonishing how much time is spent trying to convince others they are wrong! Why do we do that as human beings – A psychologist probably has the answer? We should reflect and understand that life is perhaps a little too short and we should be all be more constructive and less destructive.

Of course, most people do this because they are either heavily invested in, or are paid by, a company to take a stance. I have been extremely guilty of it myself in my DVB days — DVB versus ATSC, ISDB-T, DVB-MHP versus alternative middleware, DVB-RCC versus DOCSIS! I was, at one point at IBC, called “R’Anthony” by tech journalist Ferghal Ringrose.

Throughout history, there have been infamous moments — such as the tobacco industry’s Senate hearings on its dangers — where people publicly declared the untruth of: “I swear that nicotine is not addictive.” Most likely, they did so to keep their job, their lofty title, and their fat-cat salary.

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We Only Have But One Life

I have myself, learned that in life people come and go, and their words simply become tomorrow’s digital dust (except Mark Aitken @ Sinclair Broadcast, (for those who work in Broadcasting Technology) who seems eternal #LOL), and the technology junket rolls on.

In hindsight, we should be more collaborative, speak kinder words about the amazing things people have invented, built, and deployed, and try to make the world a better place for both inventors and consumers. However, human nature being what it is, we haven’t made much progress, it seems.

Be kind, be nice, and be courteous — it costs NOTHING.

Anthony