Good-Bye 2012 – You Were Quite the Year

As the end of one year ends, and another begins, many of us reflect on the past, as we look towards the future.

For me, 2012 was a challenging, trying and at times epic year of life altering experiences.

As our economy continues to teeter on the brink of collapse, and business and political leaders continue to apply outdated, old school, band-aid solutions in a rush to keep us all from falling over the fiscal cliff, it’s time for us to re-think our world, and our way of living in it.

The fiscal cliff isn't just an American catchphrase for economic pot holes – it’s a good way of describing the new economy of an ever more frightening world in which to live.

Major corporations, once the cornerstone for economic prosperity and security in most of the world are no longer that stable or secure employer they once were.

One used to graduate from high school, get an entry level gig at one of these big major corporations, such as General Motors, General Electric, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, American Express, even McDonald’s, and over time, work one’s way to the top.

Not anymore.

A job for life at a big American company, with benefits, and regular salary increases to keep pace with the cost of living isn't the American Dream – it’s just a dream.

Although the economy is growing globally, it’s actually shrinking in the process. Companies may offer their products and services all over the world now, but few of them are hiring people at decent wages with quality benefits anymore.

Gone are the days when you could get a job where your employer actually gave a damn about your quality of life. All they care about is their own bottom line – regardless of the fact that a staff constantly worried about paying their bills, doesn't do their jobs as effectively.

When I worked at one of the largest financial institutions – one of the top five banks in Canada – I saw just how employee loyalty does not go both ways.

My team’s Project Manager had been with the bank for over 35 years – for some that is a lifetime. She was exceptional at what she did, I considered myself very lucky to have her on my team. At the end of a bank-wide project, her boss told her that her services were no longer required, and they’d give her six-months to find another role within the bank, and then they’d just give her a severance package and send her on her way.

This was the way the bank forced people that cost too much out. Obviously my Project Manager wasn't going to find another role at the same pay scale she was used to – when have you ever seen a job posting requiring 35 years of experience?

And even if she bit the bullet, and was willing to accept a lower pay just to keep a job for a thankless employer, hiring managers would look down at her, and wonder how loyal she would remain, doing the same thing for a fraction of what she previously was being paid.

This was how one of the largest banks in Canada, retired my team’s Project Manager. And its how many big businesses force long-term employees to retire.

Loyalty.

That’s a tricky word in today’s business world.

Used to be if you worked hard, went the extra mile to impress your boss, then over time, you’d get promoted, not retired.

I've known many people that had dedicated most of their adult lives to one big corporate employer, only in the end to be let go, simply because they got promoted too often and became too expensive to keep.

2012 was the year that I learned the hard way just how hard work, dedication and loyalty to your employer doesn't matter. In the end, you really are just a dollar figure to your boss.

The bean counters think it’s only a matter of dollars to replace someone with years of experience, contacts, and know-how with a recent college graduate.

And that’s why our economy is really falling apart. Studies show wages continue to fall, while the costs of living continue to rise.

Especially as our population ages, and more of those long-term, dedicated and loyal employees find themselves dumped by their disloyal employers.

The new kids they replace long-term employees with don’t make enough to make major purchases to keep the wheels of the economy moving.

How many twenty-something’s do you know have their own mortgage?

In order to get over the fiscal cliff, big businesses need to get over their fear of paying people what they are worth. They need to stop seeing their staff as numerical figures on a balance sheet, and start seeing them for what they really are.

The very same people that keep the economy moving – earning a decent living, and spending that living – well – living. 

Real Freedom is Only for Those Who You Can’t See

Yesterday, Canada’s highest court ruled in some situations, Muslim women can wear the full face-covering veil called a niqab, while testifying in court, due to religious reasons.

The niqab provides only a slit across the eyes, allowing women wearing it to see, but fully covers the rest of the face.

Canada’s Supreme Court ruled narrowly in favour of allowing the Muslim woman to wear the full-face covering in an Ontario provincial court, as she’s the victim of a horrible rape.

One of the great things about being Canadian, is our acceptance of other cultural and religious beliefs. It’s also our greatest fault – because it doesn't work the other way ‘round.

For years, first responders have had serious reservations about serving Muslim women wearing the niqab. Be it a slight fender bender, a major car crash, a house fire, or – as in the case of the woman who won her right to wear such a garment in a public court of law – a rape case – the job of all first responders is to ensure the safety and security of all those involved.

This requires the ability to SEE with their own eyes the whole situation, including the faces of those affected.

There have been numerous reports from ambulance, police, fire and other first responders, where women in the niqab have refused to remove their coverings.

In at least three Canadian situations, paramedics were forced to wait until the women passed out from their injuries, so they could legally assist an unconscious victim, by removing the niqab, to perform necessary life-saving care.

In extremely oppressed cultures – and you can’t get much more extreme than covering your whole face – they don’t have the openness to accept other cultural or religious beliefs.

So when they come to an open and free country, and are told for their own safety and security, they must uncover their face so we can see them, they refuse.

However, they aren’t dumb – one might argue they are psychotically smart – because they not only hold true to their beliefs, but they use their new found free country’s laws to further those beliefs here. They cry about their rights and freedoms under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms being violated when asked to remove their coverings.

Freedom of all forms of expression – be it cultural, religious, or anything else – is the foundation of what makes this country great.

However, there is always a line which has to be drawn, even when freedom is concerned, for the public’s greater good.

And the public’s greater good isn't served by allowing people to cover their faces where either their own or another’s safety and security is at issue.

Wearing a full-face covering mask – which it essentially is, because it masks the identity of the person wearing it – shouldn't be allowed in any place where you interact with others.

We communicate so much through body language, and facial expressions, covering your whole face really does more harm than good. From signalling your intentions when four cars stop at a four-way stop sign at the same time while driving, to simply going into any store or bank and not being mistaken for a robber or a thief.

balaclava (a full-face sky mask), I’d probably be taken down at gun point by police. I could claim I was just wearing it to protect myself from winter’s chill – which would be understandable in a cold climate country such as we have here in Canada. 

However, I’d probably still be charged with mischief, as we Canadians know what is and isn't acceptable in our society.

So how come our nation’s highest court allowed something which isn't really acceptable in our society for a select few?

Guns Flying Off Wal-Mart Shelves

Only in the most influential country in the world can you buy deadly assault weapons in one of the world’s largest retailers.

And only in the most influential country in the world, would they be flying off the shelves days after a crazed gunman went on a killing spree in an elementary school in small town America.

According to several news reports, mega-retailer Wal-Mart is running out of automatic assault weapons, similar to the m16s used by armies around the world – including the American military. They are also running low on high capacity “clips” which store excessive amounts of ammunition – just in case you happen to run out.

If this were a joke, it might be in poor taste. But it’s just a sad fact of life the United States of America.

As funeral processions line the streets all week, to lay to rest the innocent, incomplete lives of very young children, and their heroic teachers that tried to save them, politicians and interest groups clash over gun control.

As the debate rages on in the political offices from the White House to local congressional leaders, people afraid they won’t be able to legally arm themselves are running out, and stocking up on military-grade weapons like kids stock up on candy.

You’d swear these people were stocking up to take over another country, but instead for the most part, they claim it’s for self defence.

From what? Mexico? Canada? The Former Soviet Union?

It’s a sad day in world history, when the sale of military-grade assault weapons outsells bread and bottled water combined.

Yet that is what has and is happening as you read this.

Whatever happened to the American dream – the ideals that anyone that put in the effort and hard work could make it there?

Ah, the elusive American dream – a house, with a white picket fence, a family, a dog, and a career which furnishes all of the necessities of life, and then some.

Since the industrial revolution, many countries the world over have set their standards to achieve by that elusive American dream.

Stock markets around the world are still compared to the American ones, and countries measure their capital by comparing it to the all mighty American Greenback Dollar.

Perhaps it’s time to re-consider which country to set the barometer for economic and social success?

Because if the American dream includes being armed to the teeth, I don’t know about you, but that’s not any dream I want to be a part of.

Cigarettes and Mass Murders – Why Both Will Always Kill in the USA

Cigarettes are a lot like hand guns in the United States. Both give off smoke from a heated barrel. Both are lethal. And both are completely legally bought and sold in the United States of America.

Funny, how the supposedly best country to live, you can kill yourself – or others – using legally obtainable items.

Since the massacre of children and teachers in Newtown, CT, the issue of gun control has reared its all too common head south of the border.

This isn't the first mass murder by a crazed lunatic in the States – and it won’t be the last.

Every time some nut goes on a shooting spree in the States, the media, politicians and religious leaders express horror and sympathy, while questioning why?

It’s because, like cigarettes, American’s can legally obtain fire arms you dummy – that’s why.

Yes, you have to apply for a permit to legally buy a gun in the States. And they check for any criminal background, to ensure you won’t go and knock off your local McDonald’s and scare the poor teen-aged burger flipper with your amateur use of a recently purchased Colt-45.

But that’s about it – all American citizens have the right to own weapons of mass destruction.

Cigarettes will never be banned because the American smoking lobby is too powerful. Yes, we all know it’s a bad habit, but the hand that offers you a smoke is the same one selling you a patch to quit. Most smoking cessation programs are owned or in some part funded by the cigarette companies.

No wonder it’s so hard to quit?

The same thing – ironically – goes for guns. The National Rifle Association is the most powerful, grassroots lobby group in the States, fighting for the right to continue to bear arms. 

The NRA supports gun clubs, shooting ranges – oh – and donates to support groups of violent offenders, many of which have injured or harmed others with guns.

No wonder it’s so hard to – wait – didn't we just say that. Am I repeating myself?

Yes, we are.

Every time some nut goes on a shooting spree in the States, we all ask why?

Maybe it’s time to stop circling around the issues, and asking the questions we already know the answers to and make the tough decisions, which really aren't that tough.

Banning assault weapons and extra large bullet clips is an idea in the right direction currently being discussed, in the wake of the Newtown, CT shootings.

However, your average American isn't going to miss their pistol, or any gun for that matter.

Anyone that feels the need to own a weapon to the point that they actually will miss it needs therapy.

And people that need therapy shouldn't own fire arms in the first place, now – should they?

Murder and Mayhem – Divided By Borders

While American’s mourn the devastating loss of young children and their teachers, over 300,000 Canadian kids just north of the border are running a muck.

Teacher’s across much of Canada are unionized, and in the Province of Ontario, teachers at the largest school boards in the province are staging a one day walk-out to protest the province’s plans for them. 

Since last week, school boards across the province have been staging these one day strikes, today’s just so happens to hit the biggest school boards of Toronto, Durham and Peel regions.

Ironically, teachers are protesting provincial legislation which would ban them from striking.

Only a union would protest a possible ban on striking, by holding wildcat strikes. What a way to win over parents and others, by showing just how harmful these strikes are too our children, and our community.

The province’s teachers have actually been protesting over a month, most have withdrawn their extra-curricular activities, so sports teams, student clubs and groups, and other after school programs have all been axed.

This means no more cheer leading, football, student paper, or debating club.

Not that teachers need to learn how to mentor cheerleaders, coach football, edit a newspaper, or build their confidence and public speaking through debate.

Oh wait – that’s not the point of these things – it’s all about the kids.

By cutting back on extra-curricular activities, today’s children are already losing out – big time. 

Teachers are more than just educators, they are role models, and leaders within their community.

What kind of role models are these for our children, when they demonstrate when the tough get going, they stop what they are doing either part-way or as in today’s walk out, just stop completely?

Kids across Canada’s largest province today may rejoice in a well-deserved day off. Their parents on the other hand may have been left scrambling at the last minute, trying to figure out who’s going to take care of Little Johnny while mommy and daddy need to go to work?

Student groups across the province have spoken out, crying foul too. Across much of Toronto last week, numerous high school students walked out of class to protest the cuts to extra-curricular programs, and the threats of these rotating one day strikes.

All this remember is because the government of Ontario wants to eliminate the right for teachers to strike.

Regardless of whether teachers should be allowed or not allowed to strike, all of this is raising an even bigger issue buried in the subtext of strikes, walk outs, and suspended services.

Isn't a well-rounded education about more than just reading, writing and arithmetic?

Shouldn't teachers be more concerned with shaping the future leaders of tomorrow?

School should be a place where kids go to learn, not just stuff in books, but through self-discovery, led by well-rounded adults that know there’s more to life than the stuff in a text book.

Think back to your memories of your favourite teacher – we all have one.

If you are like me – and you probably are somewhat – then your memories are of a teacher that did more than just teach.

My favourite teacher participated actively in the drama club, began the high school radio station, ran the environmental action group and more.

He didn't just teach, he helped make me who I am by encouraging me, and bringing out the real me, by allowing me – and other students in his classes and activities – to discover who they were.

That’s what school is all about – learning, growing and self-discovery.

Or at least, it should be.

Newtown Shooting the Media and You

Horror, shock, disgust, anger, rage, sympathy, sadness.

These are some of the many feelings we all went through, as news of the tragic shooting of innocent little kids in small town America spread.

The president of the United States cried as he responded live on television to the mass murder in Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown CT.

Last night, parents, families, friends, and neighbours all gathered in a small school gymnasium, while local religious leaders offered words of hope and prayer during the public memorial service for the victims of another act of random violence in America.

American President Barack Obama gave a solemn message of hope, saying that we cannot go on allowing this sort of thing to happen. This isn't the first time the American president has addressed parents and families of a school shooting.

World leaders issued statements, expressing their horror over the incident, and offering their condolences for the families and friends of the victims.

Parents all over the world echoed thoughts of hugging their children extra tight that night on all the major social networks.

Today has been labelled “Hug Your Kid Today” to encourage parents to hug their children, and tell them they love them.

Maybe tomorrow will be “Bring an Apple, Not a Gun to School” day?

When I was a kid, the most violent thing anyone ever witnessed was the occasional fist fight between two jocks trying to woo the same cheerleader.

Back then, it was too much testosterone and the foolishness of a youthful mind which occasionally caused someone to get a black eye.

These days, social pressures on our youth – and us all – build up until we explode. Most just punch a pillow, write a nasty blog, or maybe snap at their spouse.

Then you get those with access to guns.

They shoot people.

Innocent people.

People going on about their daily lives, not aware that today is their last day on Earth.

Over the next few hours, days and weeks, as the victims are laid to rest, the media will focus on the never-ending question about gun control in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The American Constitution’s Second Amendment tells citizens of that once great land, they are not only allowed to carry fire arms, but encourages them to use them to defend their freedom.

That fine piece of legalize – which is defined as the Supreme Law of the United States of America – was written in May of 1787, and adopted in September of that year by the Constitutional Convention. The law of the land was ratified by the then 11-member states, and went into effect on March 4, 1789.

Back in the 1700’s one could understand the logic of allowing people to own and use guns to defend their property. It was a very different time, long before the microchip.

The world was an unsettled place – a global wild west. The French Revolution began with the fall of Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Spanish captured the British schooner ‘Northwest America’ near Vancouver in June of that year.

It was the same year that Benjamin Franklin wrote: “there is nothing certain in life, except death and taxes.”

It was a time when governments were battling each other for land.

No wonder the founders of the United States of America wrote into law, the right to carry and use guns.

Times really have changed.

Wars still exist – but not in the land of the American dream.

Or do they?

Every time a crazed gunman goes on a killing spree in the States, the media, politicians and others raise questions about whether or not the law of the land should be amended, eliminating the right to bear arms.

And every time a crazed gunman goes on a killing spree in the States, the largest political action group in that country – the National Rifle Association (NRA) goes quiet at first – they took down their website today pending a slew of media attention and anti-gun lobbyists. Then the NRA enlists famous American cowboys to continue the fight for the right to carry and use guns.

It’s no longer a war over land, but over the right to shoot someone.

The NRA argues that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

But it’s people with guns that kill people – often without guns.

It’s time the American constitution was amended to keep in touch with the reality of our modern times. We no longer need worry about someone coming onto our land to try and take it from us. The wild west is no more.

121212 Concert – Man Those Old Folks Can Move!

Last night I took in a global rock and roll concert with about 2 billion other people around the world. The 121212 Concert – held on the 12^th day of the 12^th month of 2012 – to raise money for the disaster relief efforts of Hurricane Sandy, was a truly star-studded spectacular.

And we’re not talking about the typical pimply-faced teen celebrities which have been an unfortunate outcome of our high-tech world.

We’re talking real rock stars – Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Mic Jagger, Keith Richards, Pete Townsend, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, even Sir Paul McCartney – all performed last night.

Not that Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift aren't cute kids. They are adorable. But they lack the life experience to really rock.

The concert’s promoters said they intentionally stacked the deck with classic old rockers, because they wanted to capture the Boomer demographic. Boomer’s typically are more established, and more likely to be able to afford the $150 to $2,500 ticket price to see the live show in person at New York’s Madison Square Garden where the last minute fundraiser was held.

Also, Boomers around the world are more established, and unlikely to have to ask their mommy or daddy for money to donate.

The demographic tactic worked, actual dollar amounts for the total raised won’t be available for a few days yet, but before the show even went live-to-air, ticket sales had raised $36 million dollars.

And Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and the rest of the current crop of pop tart celebrities also lack the balls to pull off such an amazing show last night.

All the artists performing last night took a few moments to address the international wide-eyed audience, usually talking from the heart and unscripted during their musical performances.

Billy Joel said he knew everyone paid a sh*t load of money to get into the venue to watch, but still encouraged ticket-paying fans to donate to help Hurricane Sandy victims in their hometown.

After British rock legendary group The Who performed a song about drinking tea to recover from tragedy, Pete Townsend yelled out: “just drink a f*ckin beer.”

The young kid celebs today probably know lots of naughty words, but they lack the worldly experiences gained from life to know when and how to use them prolifically.

It was reassuring to see real talent performing, just being themselves.

And it was scary and strange too.

Rolling Stone front man Mic Jagger said it best when he commented how this was probably the oldest gathering of rock musicians ever assembled. Jagger himself is over 70 years old.

Which you’d never know from Jagger and the rest of his band’s energetic frenzied dance movies, as he continues his famous struts on stage.

It’s remarkable and rewarding to see Mic and the boys, and the other rock legends still have what it takes to put on an amazing show.

However, watching someone old enough to be a grandfather move like a teenager on stage is also somewhat disturbing.

It was like watching the geriatric ward of the Rock and Roll Old Age Home come to life, as the average age of the musical acts last night was well over 65.

At least Keith Richards let his hair go grey, so although he looked his age physically, as he rocked out he looked normal.

I don’t know if it’s hair dye, plastic surgery, or what, but what some of the other rockers on stage had done to themselves to maintain that all elusive fountain of youth created a bit of a creepy vibe during the show.

It’s an amazing credit to each and everyone one of them to be able to sing and dance like they did over 30, 40 and in some cases over 50 years ago. We all can only be so lucky to still have the veracity and vitality to do that in our senior years.

However, there was something unsettling about watching grandpa go crazy on stage. 

The Social Life and Times of Public Figures

Reading the morning news as I always do, I saw one of the headlines screaming something about how Toronto’s mayor was taking a vacation.

Aside from it being none of our business – and it isn't all that uncommon during the holiday season to take a holiday – this got me thinking about how invasive technology has become, especially to public figures.

Granted, those in the public’s eye have always been chased, hounded and even stalked by the media. But thanks to technology, now anyone with a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or other mobile device can instantly dig up dirt on anyone – famous or not.

You can Google, tweet, friend, follow, fan or foursquare anyone these days. And in the case of the latter, you can show up where someone is, to snap a photo for Instagram.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford hasn't had a lot of success with the mainstream press. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his policies or politics, there’s no question that he isn't very media savvy. He’s rough around the edges, says what he thinks, and does what he wants despite being advised otherwise.

And he’s paid the price – the media constantly chases Mayor Ford, just waiting for that “gotcha” moment to splash all over the local and national news.

However, where and when the mayor of Canada’s largest city takes a vacation is going too far. Everyone deserves time off. It isn't as if the city, the country or the world for that matter, will fall apart because any one of us takes a holiday.

Yet we know when famous people take time off, do wild crazy things, get into bar fights, or worse – go to jail for just being screw-ups.

Not that the life and times of Lindsey Lohan, Justin Beiber, or your local city or town’s mayor really means anything to you or me.

Famed scholar and media critic Noam Chomsky calls all of this unnecessary attention in the media on famous people a distraction from the issues that really do matter.

Chomsky is right – the time we spend chasing public figures while they vacation or do whatever else they do, takes us away from our own families and friends.

And thanks to social media, it is even easier to be distracted by other people’s problems, instead of solving our own.

Maybe that’s why we take so much time to fan, friend and follow people that we really never really know – because it distracts us from the harsh reality of our own lives?

Look – It’s The Queen – In 3D!

You know technology has made it to the big time, when even the stodgy old Royal Family, used to ancient horse drawn carriages, starts to embrace it.

The annual Christmas Day Message from her Royal Highness, the Queen of England, will be recorded in three-dimension high definition – this is the first time a member of the Royal Family will be in 3D.

The BBC offered to broadcast the recent wedding Prince William to Kate Middleton, but the Royals declined.

Although the annual Christmas Day Message is usually brief – lasting under 30-minutes if that – and usually about the same things – a call for world peace, environmentalism, hope and prosperity for the coming year – perhaps this sudden change towards new technologies means a new fresh message from The Queen?

Perhaps we’ll have a more pragmatic, practical and realistic message, with tangible themes, instead of the usual call to the impossible world peace?

The notion of peace around the world is a nice pipe dream, but that is all it ever was and will be.

So long as we human beings have free will, free thought, and freedom of choice, we will constantly battle one another to express that free will, free thought and freedom of choice.

The constant never-ending war in the Middle East is based entirely on two diametrically opposed cultures expressing their ideological and political thoughts. This battle ground – which began in the 1960’s – has the occasional cease-fire, when the two sides appear to be getting along and moving towards peace.

But peace in the Middle East will never happen – so the notion of a world at peace is a fairy tale. Perhaps that’s why The Queen’s Annual Christmas Day message always includes this notion, because the life of fairy tales and fiction makes up much of the history of the Monarchy?

However, modern day technologies like HD 3D TV are far removed from the world of fairy tales. Technological marvels may start out as a mental image, a figment of one’s imagination, but soon become reality as soon as a method of creating that fiction for real is invented.

That’s just what the Royal Family – and other world leaders need – a way to turn the ideas of fiction such as world peace – into reality.

Then these annual messages from The Queen of England, the Pope, and other world leaders won’t appear so artificial and meaningless.

Has Our Digital World Destroyed the Next Generation?

As I grow my new business, I’m talking to all sorts of folks who are looking for work, and want to join my fledgling new venture.

But I’m noticing a disturbing trend with many of the young adults I’m talking too – sort of a lacklustre aloofness. It’s as if they are just floating through life, without a care in the world.

I’m not unsympathetic, when I was in my early twenties I was still very much discovering myself. 

But at least I was trying different things, taking on the adventures the world tossed my way openly, as I feasted on all the new things I was learning about the world around me, and myself.

But kids today seem to lack that sense of self-exploration which my generation had. They are too tied to their mobile devices, their tech toys, and their small circles of close friends which are also tied to their mobile tech toys.

Has our digital world destroyed the next generation?

Are kids today so enveloped in technology, they have forgotten the world around them?

I’m building an on-demand television network, so when someone tells me they've always wanted to be on television, shoot a camera, edit a video, or just work within a television production, and I ask them why, I expect a long-winded answer.

Usually when someone is really interested in something, you can’t shut them up. If someone asks you about something you are passionate about, you should be able to go on, and on, and on – like the Energizer Bunny. 

But when I ask young adults why they've always wanted to be a TV reporter, host, producer or any other role we have, I usually get a deadpan answer more fitting for someone about to have a root canal than talk about their life-long dream.

When I ask them what they watch, read or listen to for inspiration in their self-admitted life-long dream, they usually tell me they don’t watch, read or listen to anything of the sort.

Even before I did my graduate work in broadcast journalism, while I was doing my undergraduate degree in a completely different field, I watched every major newscast, listened to various radio news shows, read all the daily papers, numerous magazines, and biographies of all the big name reporters, news anchors, publishers and producers.

If someone asked me why I wanted to be a journalist, I’d light up like a tree at Christmas, talking up a storm about the business which fuelled the fire of my soul.

These days, the only thing apparently igniting the souls of our future generations are their tech toys.

They are nose-deep buried in their mobile devices, texting tweeting and updating their social networks.

Although to a degree, I’m also buried in my mobile tech toys, I still have a passion, an interest – hell – a life – outside and away from my digital world.

Although I’m starting a digital media company, I know there is more to it than just being immersed in the digital world – as with any technology-based company.

No matter how dependent upon technology we all become, end of the day, it’s not iPhones, BlackBerry phones, laptops or tablets which make the world work – it’s people.

There’s an old saying, that those who are exceptionally good at what they do, have a real passion for what they do. They don’t just go to work, they go to play.

I've always believed in that – and hoped my passion for my work shone through in my work’s quality.

However, I’m concerned that future generations are so digitally distracted, they lack any passion for what they do.

Not just because the quality of their work suffers, but ultimately their lives suffer too.

Television Isn’t Worthy of One Eye

Broadcast television just isn't what it used to be.

Remember when you turned on the tube, sat down, and within seconds you were enjoying something interesting?

Even with the over 500 channel digital television universe, most things “aired” by broadcasters aren't worthy of one eye, let alone both. They hit below the belt – way below – for content these days.

Just ask Matt Lauer.

The television personality that has the honour of co-hosting NBC’s flagship morning show 'Today' was making his own news – if you can call it that – by doing a bit on how one of his colleagues slapped him on the butt behind the scenes.

They did a whole “bit” on how inappropriate it was, trying to make us laugh. Instead, if you have half a brain cell left after watching fellow co-hosts Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb drink themselves silly before most of us even have had a cup of coffee, were left wondering – WTF?

Gifford and Kotb both deny being alcoholics, yet they drink wine every morning. It’s just their thing – to drink first thing in the morning, at work, on TV.

If a high school teacher was doing the same thing at work in front of a class of kids, that teacher would be fired and sent to AA.

NBC isn't the only major American network producing brain numbing content, leaving us wondering what the hell?

Most American and Canadian networks produce crap these days – it’s a sad reality in this era of tasteless reality shows.

The Learning Channel – TLC – doesn't teach us much anymore. Unless you enjoy learning about someone crazy’s addiction to eating her dead husband’s ashes, in their show ‘My Strange Addiction.’

There are still some great shows on television. Showtime’s ‘Californication’ and HBO Canada’s ’Call Me Fitz’ are really amazing shows. They are well written, shot and directed.

'Californication' follows the wild life of novelist Hank Moody played by the undervalued David Duchovny, while 'Call Me Fitz' stars Canadian Jason Priestley as 'Fitz' -- an egomaniac used car salesman constantly battling his conscious.

The writers are both those shows is a thing even Shakespeare would give a nod too.

And that’s the real problem with most television these days – it’s not well written.

Writers are always undervalued – I was one – once. It doesn't matter whether it’s television, radio, print or even the web – they are still underpaid, overworked and treated like second-class citizens.

Which is why the shows are so poorly structured – you’d produce crap if you were treated like a slave.

So we get poorly written shows, with talent-less drunken hosts on major broadcast networks talking about butt-slaps, as our brain cells melt away in the miserable million channel universe.

Where’s my remote control? I can’t take it anymore.

North American VS European Cities – A Tale of Green Greed

On a day when Toronto, ON. Canada was ranked one of the top fifteen cities in the world to live in, the cost for getting around that city increased.

That is if you are an environmentally-friendly commuter. The city’s politicians approved a fare hike for the Toronto Transit Commission, the city-run public transit service which averages about 450 passenger rides every year, making it one of the busiest transit systems in the world.

Also on a day when the largest city in Canada was placed on this top livable cities list, the provincial transit service – GO for Government of Ontario Transit – announced plans to also increase it’s prices.

Human resources consulting firm Mercer supposedly considers transportation, along with government stability, crime rates, banking, health care, pollution levels, housing and recreation when they create these lists.

Although there are far worse places in the world to live, there are far greener cities in the world to live than Toronto -- or any North American city.

Vienna, Zurich, Munich and Frankfurt all ranked highest on the list – which says something about European versus North American cities when it comes to being the best places to live.

Europe has embraced alternative modes of travel to gas guzzling cars. It isn't uncommon for people in these places to take public transit, bike, or even car pool if they do have to drive.

Toronto – which ranked 14 on the list and Montreal – which ranked 23—both have excellent public transit systems. However, in both cities – actually many North American cities – there appears to be a stigma associated with taking public transit.

Those who take public transit in major urban centres in North America are often seen as the working poor, the trailer-park-trash of the urban jungle. The rift-raft that can’t afford a car.

That’s why public transit is so poorly funded in North American cities. It’s all in the head. Or at least the heads of the people that live there.

In Europe, the costs of operating the public transit systems are paid for largely by local and federal levels of government. It’s not considered a working poor rift-raft using service – it’s considered a necessity for the people and the good of the city.

Europeans don’t attach silly stigmas to those who take public transit. They realize that if it weren't for the public transit system, they’d spend hours in traffic just to get to work each day. If it weren't for public transit, they’d sit in traffic jams inhaling horrible fumes each day just to see their friends and family. They know they’d be contributing to global warming every time they went to the corner store.

Oh wait – we know all these things here in North America too.

So why do we attach idiotic ideologies about those taking public transit in Canada and the United States?

And worse, because of those idiotic ideologies, we force the costs of public transit onto the backs of those who take it – instead of using the tax-base to pay for it – which furthers that mentality because if the government doesn't think paying for public transit is a good thing, why should the average citizen?

And as we always complain about high taxes, governments always cut funding to the least popular government services – which usually means public transit because of this silly mentality North American cities have about the green way to travel.

So governments continue to under-fund transit in North America, increasing costs to riders, which translates into fewer people taking transit – ultimately pushing more people into their cars, creating enormous traffic tie-ups, pumping toxic fumes into the air we breathe, while increasing the amount of greenhouse gasses in our environment.

Which begs the question – how’d any North American city even make the top livable cities in the world to live in?