Letter from the President: Matt Wainwright

 

Commemorating the Fourth of July has always been very special for me. One aspect is family time – picnicking, swimming, boating and the like. But the real reason we celebrate July 4th is to recognize independence from Great Britain. I’ll always remember in school learning for the first time how John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife Abigail: " ... 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America ... commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." 

It must have been an incredible time. America’s independence set off a chain of events that can and will be debated forever, but they will likely never be equaled in such a short amount of time. Like a human being, the United States has made strides, especially in technology. Also in a human way, the United States has made mistakes. Similar to building a network without a solid foundation, you really can’t gain the ability for success – or mistakes. We need that physical layer – like the foundation on a house – to build upon and grow. Although we hear about the negative impact America may have each day, we never really hear enough about the positives. And we all know why. 

Like gossip at a watercooler, it’s easier to be part of the problem and gossip about all the problems, rather than discuss how to fix them. But when it comes to talking about the positives, well, misery loves company and nobody can really argue the good stuff. For example, a large percentage of calls to your IT department are users telling you how everything is running so well, and how they’re so psyched that offsite backup is finally equitable and reliable after 20 years of unreliable and expensive attempts. Right? Of course not. Yes, occasionally you get some props! You get a shout out at a public meeting – a political fist bump. And those are all well and good and appreciated!

So as you light your fireworks and celebrate America, reflect on the technical achievements the world has benefited from – agriculture, jobs through early industry such as factories and mills, steamboats, railroads, iron and steel-making, telegraph and telephone, electricity, cars, space exploration and health care. We’ve gotten to the point where you and I, technology people and GMIS members, are needed for each aspect of life. Yes, there are cons to these pros, but one cannot exist without the other. Let’s celebrate and work hard on the pros. It’s easy to be part of the problem; it takes hard work to be part of the solution.

By the time this piece is read, it will be post July 4th, 2015, 239 years after declaring our independence. The innovation by these United States of America made over our short independent course of history is absolutely staggering. And as we deal with an evolving society, a society that in many ways has become more dependent ironically on its government than any other time in its history, let’s really try to hold onto what made this country great in the first place: devotion. We devote our time to GMIS through volunteering. In addition, let’s always devote a little time each day to pushing this country like our Founding Fathers did.