I grew up in the future back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. We lived along the east coast of Florida from Cocoa Beach to Jacksonville. With NASA firing rockets into space and Disney being erected down in the middle of orange groves, it was a magical time. As a boy, I remember watching grainy images of the Apollo missions lifting off from Cape Canaveral on television, and then rushing outside to actually see them rise into the sky…
I have a favorite saying that you are what you consume. Back in the day, we watched a lot of TV. We were limited to only a few channels, so media outlets had a field day with pricing advertising. Still, just about every night, families across America sat in front of glowing glass tubes built into big wooden boxes and watched Mike and Carol raise kids, or Carrie, Mary and Laura frolic in meadows. Lucky families even had TVs with…
On Wednesday, we packed the car and headed north. It was only 20 miles or so, but just out of immediate reach. Far enough for it to feel real. We were dropping off our oldest daughter, Agatha (10), at her first ever sleep away camp. Most parents I know would be jumping for joy at the chance to confidently drop their kids somewhere for a few nights. Like a freedom thing. A time to throw parties or at least party…
Like it or not, we’ve all emerged at this very specific point in time to share the rock. When it’s over, our time together will amount to a spec of dust on the timeline of history – but we’re here. Together. Sharing the air, the water and emerging technology. It’s kind of cool how we are all pioneers in this, the age of connectivity. And yet, we’re as different in how we use the media, as we are different in…
Everything changes. See that mountain over there? It’s constantly being shaped by rain and wind. The shoreline you visit every summer? It’s in a perpetual state of flux. That relationship you had with that person you liked on Twitter in 2009? Way different. After three years on Twitter and Facebook (longer on Linkedin, strangely) I’ve noticed some behavioral patterns. The ability to feel things about people is a gift I’ve leaned on throughout my career as an advertising copywriter who…
I don’t know whether I’m a good father. Sure, you’ve seen happy pictures of me and my daughters, and you’ve read blog posts that make you think that I’m a good dad, but I’m just not sure. No really – I don’t know. I have no reference point. I was born James Edward Wicker III. My namesake wasn’t around much, and so I was raised by my mother and grandmother until my mother remarried when I was six. At seven…
