So I have a question for you: Are innovation and cheating the same? Both provide a more efficient process, and both produce a positive result. Well, in theory. Each day should be different. That's the joy of life. But, today was different than the normal different. Today, baseball players were elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Those who had a vote believe they chose the best players. But, come to think of it, what if the "best" cheated? What about two players who snuck their way into Cooperstown this year? They say they were pioneers of innovation in baseball; they just cheated. Run that experiment yourself. I dare you! Cheat on a test, get caught, then tell President Worthen you were just "innovating". Then, please maintain your innocence. Is honesty really the best policy? The world doesn't run on honesty anymore; it runs on "innovation". I find it interesting that when honesty is caught on camera, the world is stunned.
Hence the title of the blog, I am all for innovation. I also believe in honesty and traditional values. Now it seems that it's a paradox! Super computers called iPhones are at our fingertips. There is more computing power in a smartphone than there was in the first space shuttle. Scary, huh? On the contrast, high school athletes are being suspended for steroid use. Are we innovating, or are we "cheating the system"? I guess it really depends on the way you want the world to go. Progress is perspective. Millennials claim to embrace the future. Why not embrace "the now"? Why "innovate" when we can actually innovate? It's not an insult to be a Millennial. Admit it or not, if you are in that age group, you are a Millennial. I hate to break it to you. The Hall of Shame is just one example of Eddie Guerrero's quote, "If you're not cheating, you're not trying".
What can we do? I am one person. Someone else reading this is only one person. The sad reality is that even though there are many Millennials, we are all one person. What we can do is innovate for our benefit, not cheat ourselves. We are a new generation! So, why don't we leave the cheating and steroids in the past generation? Why don't we end the "Steroid Era"?
I like the question that examine throughout this post. I feel that as millennials we have the opportunity to change the way that happen and can make a difference if we put our minds to it. This can allow us to change the world in ways that previous generations can and make it a better place. By being a little more honest all around, we can all make a huge impact.
ReplyDeleteWell written, Hunter. While I believe some can claim a gray line between cheating and innovation to justify what they do, I really feel there's a distinct difference. I like your call to innovate for the benefit of society, not cheat ourselves. I feel that's really a big part of the definition of 'innovation,' that it improves society as a whole and is honest in its intention.
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