This is my grandpa. I love him a lot. He’s gone now, but he helped me become who I am today.
I was meeting with a client this week – a sound technician and film composer from LA, an older gentleman. When the topic of early sound equipment came up, I mentioned my grandpa (who was one of the foremost authorities and largest collectors of antique radios, microphones, and sound equipment), and it turned out this man knew of him.
I got to spend a few minutes reminiscing about one of my favorite people in the world, and when I got to how much he believed in me as a young person and how he helped develop my curiosity and experimentation in technology, gave me my first job as a janitor at age 14, and supported me as I ventured into entrepreneurship in my 20’s, I started getting a little emotional.
My AI work this year has taken me to a lot of new places and thrown me into contact with a lot of new people, many of whom have their own ideas of what I should do with all the tech I’ve developed. I’m experienced and confident enough to chart my own course, but all this does have me thinking more about the people in my life who have helped me become this version of myself.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite clips of Mr. Rogers, so today I’d like to share it with you, and ask you to take a few moments right now to think back with gratitude on the people in your life who have “loved you into being.”
If I can give you a piece of advice that’s resonated with me over the years, it’s to never be afraid to be who you are. Don’t do what everyone else is doing just because you think it’s expected of you or because you’re afraid of being judged. Be your authentic self, believe what you believe, love what you do, and you’ll find your life’s work along with your community of kindred spirits.
Right now I’m happy to be connecting with a bunch of sharing minded, creative weirdos again, just like in the early days of the internet. It feels good to be where I am.
Thank you so much, Grandpa. I love you ❤️
