Obligation Nation

Yesterday, Apple released the iPad. Nanoseconds later, much of the social media contingent ganged up to trash it. Okay. While the success of this product remains to be seen, the scowling reaction made me realize something: While it’s true that the microscope is on those who try, you’d need a telescope to see those who sit by.

Sideline chirping is fear-based and teaches nothing to the chirper. Failure on the playing field is a learning experience, but many avoid the pain involved. They instead settle for the dull ache of never bringing their original work out into an overly critical world. Have you ever felt vindicated about your own inaction because you watched someone else fall on their face? Is it really entertainment when American Idol continues to torture us with awful singing auditions, or is it simply justification for why we don’t dare?

If your dreams are never seeing the light of day, ask yourself, “Do you do, or do you don’t?” If your answer is the former, then go ahead and take your noble place on the playing field with the worst case outcome being iTried. If you’re intent on settling for the latter, well, I suppose there’s a ton of room in the grandstands for iTold-You-So.

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