50 years ago today, humanity accomplished one of its most awesome technological achievements: traveling to, landing, and setting foot on another rock in space far away from our home on Earth.
Not being alive then, I can only dream about the emotions going through the minds of my young mother and father, and every other teenager that day. What is our place in the universe? Are we meant to stay on earth? What does this mean for the future generations now that we can travel to other places in our galaxy (after just 10 short years of R&D at NASA)?
“For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one: one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth.” -President Nixon speaking to Armstrong and Aldrin
These romantic feelings of excitement, uncertainty, and dreams for the future is possibly the greatest example in history of how technology can unite us as a species, and even if for one “priceless moment”, make us all feel like we are part of an exciting journey together on this planet. Collectively we can use our minds, talents, and hearts to make the future brighter for everyone.
I wonder what will excite and inspire my 3 year old son as he grows up and witnesses our latest technological achievements. How will it differ from what my parents witnessed 50 years ago? Is high-tech still inspiring children the same way? Could/should the latest releases of devices/software inspire kids to be technologists the same way millions of children were inspired to be astronauts/engineers/explorers/adventurers in 1969? Is high-tech still as romantic as it once was?
I came to Salesforce because I believe it is. Salesforce, if nothing else, represents a vision to me, that we can use technology to empower anyone on the planet to make an honest and equitable living. Whether that living is running a company, being a successful employee, happy customer, or even an entrepreneur looking to skill up for their next adventure, Salesforce democratizes opportunity in a unique way.
Let us reflect today on what happened 50 short years ago, and conjure the same spirit we all feel as humans on earth. Just as the youth of that generation’s eyes widened in wonder, while watching their low resolution analog TVs, let us romanticize, be uncertain, and be excited about our future together a species on whatever rock or starship we’re destined to settle on.
Gilmore Labs 