THE FIRST DROP

One of my goals for Azure Media in 2009 was to start a blog. So, here goes the first drop.

This blog is called "The Ripple" because it will explore the repercussions -- often unexpected -- of media events, innovations and trends. Sometimes it will be a commentary on the industry (media, journalism and entertainment), and other times it will be an observation about the end-user, the consumer. Often it will cover both. In this era of user-generated content how to differentiate between the audience and the producer anyway?

I'm heading off to the 2009 Sundance Film Festival tomorrow and you'd think that would be the subject that's top of mind (more on that later I'm sure), but it's not. Instead I'm drawn to the economy and what I see it portending for the future. Despite pundits' forecasts of "bleak" and "paralyzing" economic times ahead, I still have a vision for the future that is crisp and almost glittering, like the first sun after a spring rain shower. Best expressed by the lyrics to the Johnny Nash (or Jimmy Cliff) song:

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way,

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind,

It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun-shiny day.

It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun-shiny day.

I'm no economist, but I am the consummate glass-half-full person. There is a silver lining for America in what may be a halacious decade for us all. I can see it clearly: A generation of youth who no longer feel entitled to the easy B-plus or new wheels at 17, but rather feel privileged to find work in their chosen field. Boomers who no longer expect their IRA's to automatically translate into 12% return and who finally understand why their Depression-baby parents hoarded paper products or some other commodity. A humbled America with a re-energized work ethic and a resurgence of innovation, technology and creativity.

This recession isn't about whether hems lines will go up or down; it's about whether we will handle the down times wisely, with grace and compassion -- and ultimately what we can learn from them.