Today my neighborhood, Oakland—the academic and medical center of Pittsburgh—is being visited by various petro-chemical tsars, fervent tech bros, and other high-profile (well known) political characters (mostly from Washington, D.C.). Carnegie-Mellon University, a short walk from my house, is hosting an "Energy and Artificial Intelligence Summit" on their campus. The most enthusiastic attendees seem to be those with a financial interest in the policy outcomes—as well as those protesting their presence (albeit while being held at a safe distance). Fearsome and heavily-militarized police are protecting the summit's perimeter.
These particular visitors—and the critical topics under discussion—remind me that America needs to be a force for good in the world. Powerful leaders exert powerful influence—for good or for bad—over the behavior of their governed. And powerful technology, likewise, has the power to dramatically affect the lives of all—for good and for bad—whether these citizens choose to use the technology or not.
In the past, America has described herself as "a shining city on a hill"—clearly a reference to the Holy Land. But remember: one cannot be holy if one is not good. And if, as many contend, America has been specially endowed with divine blessings, these will not continue if America is not good.
So let's redouble our efforts to be good. Whether you are a person or a country, being good is more important than being great.
The baseball caps, shown above, were custom made by LEO Design shortly after the 2016 election. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.