August 7, 2020
I still remember when Napster came under fire. Here was this website that was allowing all shapes of music to be given away free. Singer/songwriters and musicians were extremely angry because it was the first step of a new generation of stealing. It was no longer about duplicating CD’s or transferring music to your iPod from other people’s collections. The internet struck hard and it was about to change the face of the Rock Star appeal. On this podcast episode we jump into the present day mess with Tik Tok. Do we have any say? By presidential executive order it has to go away in 45 days. I don’t use it but I find it to be an incredible pleasure in watching what everybody else creates. Every video on Tik Tok proves that we still have what it takes to laugh, dance and sing during a pandemic and all other things gone totally wrong. But the reality of this moment isn’t based on that app. It’s all the other apps that are now in danger. If Tik Tok has earned the label of being a threat to national security, will we soon see an executive order tossing all podcasters off the digital air? Podcasters say what they want when they want. If you’ve heard them lately there’s a ton of free speech taking place and not all of it is in favor of the maker of the presidential executive order. Do we have any say? The question actually came up in my morning written prayer. I write out my prayers. I’m weird that way. They’re always there to go back to. To study the moment. To feel and reignite. Do we have any say? I asked God that. The prayer started with “You are the creator of the path and decisions made.” In writing that down I instantly went to “Do we have any say?” Is there enough room to invite what we think? Not to be a handful but to serve his word by example. A tough place to walk in 2020. We are the generation that’s trapped in proving how unique each of us are. To be different and accepted at the same time. To blurt out whatever we feel at any time. What happens if the next executive order ends social media? Do we have any say? Will my daily writing of 26 years be invaded? What if life has already been written out and we’re nothing more than actors on a soap opera that God happens to find joy in? Your role. My role. Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro. Life already written and we’re bringing the script to the world’s largest stage. If that’s true! As actors can we renegotiate? So how do I end this conversation without creating a reason for you to be upset or defensive about the truth and lack of value in a modern walk and way? If Tik Tok is what it’s been accused of. What’s going to be accused of being the next national threat? Grab your script and give it your best Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks appeal or go all out and become Joan Crawford in Mother Dearest, “I said no wire hangers!”