Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

We like to hold really big events. What is their purpose? Who benefits? How might we do them differently?

We like to hold really big events where a throng gathers and one person (who is really important) stands up in front and talks. I know we like to do this because we do it so often.

The purpose of the really big event is to present information. “Something new is here. Listen, I will tell you.” Hmmm, wouldn’t an email, text message, blog, website, newsletter, letter in snail mail, etc. do the same? There must be something else here.

The main beneficiary of the really big event is the really important person standing up in front. The gathered throng makes it possible for the really important person to say something one time in one place. Isn’t it nice of the gathered throng to gather for the benefit of that really important person? (In case I didn’t make this clear, this is a jaded, cynical comment.)

Again, the really important person could send one email, text message, etc. one time to accomplish the same.

What are we doing? What could we be doing? Well, we have a throng gathered. We hope there are plenty of smart persons in the gathered throng. Let them ask questions and discuss the new thing with the really important person. We would harness the combined brain power of the throng.

Hmmm. That would mean the really important person would talk much less and the gathered throng would talk much more. Really important persons don’t like that. I know this because really important persons never seem to host such gatherings.

Are you a really important person? Am I? What are we doing? What are we saying?