This is the 701st posting on Brome Hill.
I listened yesterday to an interview that journalist Kara Swisher did on her new podcast, Sway, with billionaire Elon Musk. They discussed many things, including Neuralink, which he helped found in 2016 to develop implantable brain–machine interfaces (BMIs).
That sounds pretty Star Trek-like to me. Musk, however, says these devices will someday be the next generation in the connectivity most of us already have with our smart phones and similar devices. He made the point that we have digital lives — thanks to social media — that already outlive us. You may be able to relate to this idea if you have been reminded by Facebook to wish happy birthday to a friend who has passed away.
So here I sit, writing the 701st post on this website. Words that may be on the Internet in some fashion long after I’m gone. I may be a bit uncomfortable with that thought, but all I have to do is look back to see the possibility. On December 9, 2009, this paragraph was the first thing ever posted on this blog. Boy, so much has changed (even the name of this website) in those past 11 years. It makes me wonder how the world will look if I’m still here pecking away in 2031. By then, I’ll be approaching my 65th birthday. That’s a sobering thought.
Yesterday, a reader suggested I read a story in the Guardian about how Norwegians embrace their long, dark winter. I joked that maybe the idea of mindset over matter could be a way to cope with a second term for President Trump if it happens. (BTW, I meandered off on this tangent after dismissing the idea of piling on with my thoughts about the debate tonight between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.)
As I think about it, embracing whatever challenges and opportunities the next 11 years bring is the best way to face the future. Eleven years ago, I couldn’t have imagined being where I am today, doing the things I do with the people who are in my life now. If you really wanted to bore yourself, you could take a dive into some of those 700 preceding posts and get a feel for how much things have changed.
I’m sure the same will be true of the years to come. Maybe, if I’m still lucky enough to be here when I’m 64 — almost 65 — some of you will still be here, too.
The thing to remember is the importance of embracing life as it happens and not just shrinking from challenges and opportunities because it’s easier and comfortable to sit still. None of us know for sure what our futures hold. But there is more to life than striking out looking at pitches you let go by. All we can do is keep swinging.
Batter up.
Brome Hill 