What’s the Best?

I love the internet. So much information and right at my fingertips. All I have to do is pose a question and Google it. Up pops a number of answers. More than that, there are leads to other sites for even more information. In short order it becomes obvious that my question has to be altered to be more specific. When that is done and the ‘google button’ is pressed, up come tons of information on more specific issues. What a marvel.

This beats the old card catalog in the library any day!

But there's more. Nearly every day the internet queries me on various ‘bests’ – the best city in which to live, to retire, or the rankings of the best universities in the country, or world! I’m sure you recall these articles. Teasers, really, but when you write a column published weekly, monthly, or even daily, these articles spark ideas that soon become a blog, essay or news item.

These ideas often converge. Example: what are the top university rankings in the nation? As I read through the supporting documents I become excited with the growth of size, depth of research, interdisciplinary research findings, and resulting new medical treatments, devices and medicines. Also, the plethora of products and services that come directly from such research.

The quality of life at many of these campuses is great. The vibe of discovery becomes a real pulse of the campus. Students, faculty and staff become aware of the growing significance of their institution. It is a feeling that cannot be missed.

So too a community that makes the ‘best list’. Such villages, towns and cities know their vibe. It is palpable. Seattle has it. So too, Vancouver, Sedona, Colorado Springs and many other hot spots. They know who they are.

These communities are thriving for a lot of reasons. Most of all residents feel connected, engaged and ‘at home’. It is a magic we all would like to experience. The feeling is not easily acquired. It takes work on the part of many to build a community and even more to experience the special feeling. Each community, however, can feel this way if they only work for it. It comes from doing, not sitting or waiting.

Same for universities, companies, charities or any other organization; special feelings of greatness come from group engagement and accomplishments shared. The thrill of the spine tingling is a reward felt infrequently. But it is special.

Reading the news often is a downer these days. Then I read articles that gave me the idea for this blog posting. There are fabulous things happening all around us. Those things are achievements, discoveries, and countless ‘aha’ moments. People are doing these things. You and I are doing these things. Our neighbors, relatives, and strangers on the street are doing these things. We the People are doing these things.

Entrepreneurs are doing those things. Students, too, at colleges and universities are doing those things. We don’t read about these achievements in the newspaper very often, but on the internet and social media we glimpse more of the good that is happening all around us. It is the new news media of our times that shares these special items.

Do not be distracted by the news maker buffoons in Washington DC. They see their jobs as making headlines. They create news they think is important, all the while we are distracted from the real news of the nation.

You and I count for something. We are in the trenches doing the work of the day creating new tomorrows and living them. That’s what is important. Not the hot air coming from the vicinity of the Potomac.

Now that’s what’s best in America. Our people. And what they bring in the tomorrows.

June 20, 2018