Like a Kid in a Candy Store

So a few days back I’m standing outside TXT-TV HQ, enjoying my coffee, when I see a bunch of pre-school kids being led into the candy store across the street.

And it’s one of those high-end, luxury, candy stores too.

Did those kids have the slightest idea what they were getting into?

I can picture it in my head: the day before on the playground the tikes had a meeting:

“The rumours are true! I got the email confirming it! Tomorrow we go to El Dorado!"

"Then the prophecy has come to fruition my friends – today we rejoice, tomorrow we gorge!”

And then the kids lit off some illegal fireworks they got their hands on; and they were all very happy – like this:

Right now, I feel like a kid in a candy store.

Candy stores are about the anticipation of choice; you know you’ll like pretty much anything in the store, so for kids, the point is about considering your options, and having free reign to choose whatever they want. Quantity isn’t the issue, quality is – and no one knows candy quality like children. It’s part of their culture, and we should respect that.

Another thing: Tomorrow I turn 25.

Been getting a lot of the ‘what’re ya gonna do wif yer life?’ from el familia.

As TXT-TV’s official blogger, I think I’m doing alright for myself. A quality life so far, eh? A new TV network, new ideas, everything so new it has a nice shine, and feels plush like warm velour.

And a new job means new opportunities – and again, quantity isn’t the point, quality is.

Meeting people who honestly care about their jobs is a big part of the process. It makes everything so worthwhile. What’s more, it energizes your spirit, adds to your commitment, and makes you think about all the possibilities.

A quality job and a quality product can go a long way, especially in times like these. All around we see what has happened to a society that stopped producing, and drifted off towards limitless consumption. People are angry, they don’t have answers to their problems, and everyone wants a scapegoat. We all got so used to quantity; we didn’t notice the quality of our lives had taken a hit.

Which is why you need to pay attention to the youth. 

Despite the inexperience and folly of youth, my own as an example, there is something to be said for the purity of spirit of a small child. The same child that will confer with his or her friends, debate the merits of Gobstoppers and Runts, and carefully choose the ideal candy for this special occasion. Regardless of what they choose, they’ll be happy they had the choice at all, and for that reason they’ll choose purposefully.

I’m standing on the ground floor of a major local company; a company that produces something very valuable: open and public conversation. What’s more, I fill an interesting space; moderating, blogging, tweeting, writing.

The product we offer is evolving quickly, and I can only imagine the entire process of developing a new television network behind a radically innovative idea to be, essentially, a long process of careful consideration. So many different combinations of offers, rules, constraints, capabilities and costs to deliver the new, the cutting edge. So many decisions that worked out for the best, the result of deliberate calculation. And best of all, we have the viewers who are adding to the content we generate, giving more options, a higher quantity of quality content and ideas. We’re in the candy store with you, working to achieve the highest amount of total satisfaction.

Earlier this week saw a celebration for the launch of the network.

We’re having champagne at eleven in the morning in the conference room and I realize we either have too many employees or our conference room is simply too small.

On the other hand, a small conference room packed with people having a drink is a nice moment to have, to share with other people. It’s a mitzvah, especially when it comes with a round of sincere kudos for a job well done.

I’m enjoying how this experience is unfolding, to say the least.

But most of all I’m enjoying watching the human condition evolve, and see a group of committed and passionate people do what they like doing to the best of their abilities.

It’s a rewarding and thoroughly cathartic situation to be in when you’re turning a quarter century old.

Here’s to three more quarters!