There I was, basking in the glory of USA Hockey’s gold medal. I’d been a fan since the 3rd period began and was suddenly very invested in USA Hockey. More on that below… It’s hours before my flight to go to a commercial shoot, so the production group chat blew up. “TSA Pre Check has been shut down nationwide! Get to the airport early.”
I don’t normally travel on a rest day (Sunday), so this annoyed me quite a bit. I went to Twitter to try and find realtime reporting. It was a trending topic. Millions of impressions on people outraged over the government shutdown. Plenty of political slants on the news. Overall outrage.
I got to the airport earlier than usual (one hour versus my customary 20 minutes). It was a normal day and I walked thru TSA PreCheck in, I kid you not, 30 seconds.
This is such an analogy for our modern media life. And life today is more consumed by media than ever.
Seneca said “We suffer more in imagination more than reality.” Today, we suffer more in social media than in society.
So many of us are staring at a small screen telling us how terrible it is outside, while we rarely step outside to see how it actually is.
Compare the BAD News vs. the GOOD News
Are there deep problems in government, politics, poverty, war…etc? YES.
But, I would argue many of those are SO much louder online than in day to day life. Of course, those effect our lives, but the majority of those things are not in our face daily.
I see the phrase uttered often… “The world is literally on fire.” Especially in the context, of “How am I supposed to _____ when the world is on fire?”
I’ve been victim to this mentality. But, have you stepped outside recently? Most people in daily life are civil, cordial, doing their best. If you’re fortunate enough to live in the developed world, life can be ok. And if it’s not? What else can we do, but go try to make the best of it?
But, modern media is built to stick you to the screen. The more people watch, the more money they’re able to make. The quickest way to hack attention is death, despair & panic. The human brain is evolved to be HYPER sensitive to threats to allow us to survive, but what happens when threats from every corner of the world are thrust upon the phone tethered to your pocket?
3 Helpful Phrases to help you remember Modern Media:
1. “Enragement = Engagement”
2. “If it bleeds, it leads”
3. “A lie travels halfway around the world before the truth can get it’s shoes on.”
Does USA Hockey Help Us Find a Way?
The homies group text starts chattering this morning, “Are y’all watching this?! 3rd period is about to go crazy.”
I bit. My son has recently gotten into roller hockey, so it was on my radar.
I turn on the USA v. Canada game at the start of the 3rd period and was suddenly reminded anytime I watch tertiary sports in my brain (Playoff Baseball, Soccer, F1) that hockey might be…awesome?!
I’ve got so many questions: “How fast are they skating? Nike is making Hockey Jerseys? Sudden Death? Like Penalty Kicks?! Oh…wait, it’s 3 on 3?!” Forgive me, I’m from Texas.
Jack Hughes, the 24 year old who hit the game winner, breathlessly extolled the virturs of USA Hockey, his teammates, the brotherhood they’d developed, his country…all through a bloody mouth and without teeth intact.
It was a refreshing scene. We need this reminder every 2-4 years. The world has a lot of issues, but we have a lot of great things too.
Since I wrote this on Sunday, I’ve been on a commercial shoot for the last two days working really long days…but I see we’ve found a way to divide ourselves over checks notes - hockey. LORD, HELP US! We desperately need it in America.
This has me considering different direction for my thoughts on what a tough environment we put our modern athletes in. We shove microphones in our 18 - 25 year olds faces, capture them 24/7 and to bring it all back- media are heavily invested in finding the most controversial angle in order to get clicks.
We need good leaders. Our young men & women deserve better.
Education:
My Latest YouTube video is out now on Salomon, the coolest brand in footwear. I got to chat with their President of North America, Steve Doolan, who was working at a Ski shop 15 years ago at the age of 30. He became the first sales rep for a small running brand called HOKA. He was on the rocket ship with them for 13 years before joining Salomon last year. Great guy.
I’ll have a new Youtube video on the Future of Running by the time you read this, so check that out & Subscribe if you can!
The BrandFathers new episode is out NOW: This week, the Fathers talk about Frida Baby’s controversy gone round the internet and we talk ALL THINGS licensing. This was a FASCINATING chat with Steve Sarobinsky who is Head of Partnerships at Pudgy Penguins. They’re building a massive following in the toy space and are leveraging partnerships thru licensing in a big way!
Blessings:
Man…I’m coming off a couple days where I got to direct social content for Srixon & Cleveland Golf the last couple of days. LONG days and lots of meetings leading up to this. We built this off of last years shoot which was lots of fun. I got to reconnect with Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry and others. I also got to spend two days with the godfather of wedges, Roger Cleveland.
I’m just reflecting on how my passions have converged. Being creative, loving golf, having fun with social media.
All from a guy who was dying of addiction years ago.
Life can change for the better and we can find meaning and fun in our work.
I hope you can find the same in your vocation!
Blessings.
