Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

There is much hyperbole in the technology field these days. There are three words that can eliminate that hyperbole. Be polite when using them.

Over the years I have heard many amazing statements from people concerning something or other in the field of technology. I have mostly worked in computing over the decades, and computing is one area of technology where astounding gains happen daily. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Sometimes, however, I have heard amazing things that were really just too amazing to believe. I mean, if some of them were actually true, the world would change overnight.

I have learned three words that have helped me find the difference between the astounding regular achievements and the just-too-amazing-to-be-true. These are:

Please show me.

Many people hate to hear these words. The amount of disdain of the request is usually a good indicator of what is happening. Those who have astounding gains are usually happy to show them. Not always, but most of the time. Those with unfounded hyperbole are usually upset at the request.

Two things happen when the request is granted. One, oh my. It is here. Wow. This is truly astounding. How can we use this?

Two, oh my, we can’t find it. Perhaps it doesn’t exist. This appears to be unfounded hyperbole. Never mind. I won’t spread the rumors.

There is a variation on case two: perhaps we haven’t learned yet how to show it to people. There are things we know exist, but we haven’t created a way to see them. That is rare, but it exists.

Still, use the three words. Smile when you say them and be polite.