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BIO
PHOTOS
SKYDIVING
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06-12-2002
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What is
value? |
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"What
we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only
that gives everything its value."
Thomas Paine
This holds so true
in all that we do.
This past
week I've been engaged in dialog with someone who strongly
supports Napster, Gnutella, Audio Galaxy, Morpheus, and all
the other music theft sites and software theft sites out there
that exist for the sole purpose of sharing music, video, and
software files without paying for them.
I've heard
every excuse there is for using these sites, excuses from "The
record companies rip us off" to "I can't afford to buy the
music at the record store."
Gee whiz,
I want a new car. I need a new barn. I'd like world peace.
I'd like people to appreciate one another.
But
all of these things come with a cost. ALL things have a
cost.
Nike has
learned that people will pay over 200.00 for a pair of
shoes. So, to increase their profit margin, they find
people who NEED money so badly, they'll employ 6 and 7
year-old children to make these shoes, at a cost of less
than 2.00 per shoe, or hourly wage of less than TWELVE
CENTS. See, Nike knows that we as a society are stupid
enough to pay for shoes, regardless of how they are made,
where they are made, simply because they carry the Nike
logo. Phil Knight, president of Nike proudly proclaims,
"Nike isn't a shoe company, we are a brand, and you'll see
Nike drinks, sports bars, clothing, vehicles, and more,
all as a result of the brand.....
The 'Brand.'
That's
all that matters anymore, is who's name is on the front.
Or on the back. Or how others perceive our packaging as
human beings. Of how we are viewed for our children or
family members' behavior.
Are we
worrying as much about our families? Do we obtain our
families too cheaply? Do we allow our children to come
home from school to sit down and watch TV until bedtime
after we've popped in our frozen pizza or had Chinese
food delivered because it's been a long, hard day? Do we
value our children enough to spend time with them in
pursuit of love and personal bonding?
I
submit we don't. I submit we treat our children much
like most treat the music industry. Just provide a
place for it, it will play and give us enjoyment when
we want it.
What about
our relationships with others? I've recently watched a
26 year friendship fall apart because the cost of
repairing an argument was lesser than the cost of
having a conversation because one of the parties "felt
uncomfortable discussing their inappropriate behaviour."
26 years of joy, fun, hurts, shared experiences, love,
and conversation thrown away because someone couldn't
say "I'm sorry." Apparently friendship is cheap now
too, what with the Internet and chat rooms.
What's next? What could we value less than we
currently do? Human life is at an all time low,
murder and suicide rates are up all over the
country. Consumer spending is up, so apparently
convenience is more important than effort. I admit,
I too, like my remote control when it comes to
watching a movie on the television. But I'm loathe
to throw away my old 13" television just because I
have to get out of bed to turn it off.
When I
really weigh Thomas Paine's words, so many, many
things come to mind. My son's death, my 25 year
career in the music business, my failed marriage, my
daughter's distance from me halfway across the
country, my health, relationships with my family,
friends, fans. And I wonder if I've spent enough to
maintain those things. As much as it pains me to
admit, I know I haven't. And so felt I needed to
share this with you so that you might find the time
to spend to increase the value of the things you
might hold dear. So that you might make sure than
any 'discounts' you may have taken with friendships,
children, family members, possessions, what ever you
'own' might be repaired, upgraded, improved, and
saved. I know in my life, one close friend is worth
a billion who are not so close. After all, beauty in
life is what one seeks. And beauty, like any fine
wine, art, music, appearance, relationship all come
with a cost. And the cost of maintaining ourselves,
our balance, and our relationships in this modern
world is fairly high. But a cost well worth spending
and saving for.
| To my nieces and
nephew that are serving in our armed forces as we fight this war, I'm proud of you, I love you, pray you will return
to us safely. I thank God for your safety, bravery, and
dignity.
dse
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