The Truth Can't Kill You: So Swallow It

If you have read the news recently, most articles written about almost any topic have a lot to do with fear. Globally, topics regarding the European debt crisis, the turmoil in Africa, disease control in Asia, unemployment in the United States, and the potential complete cancellation of the NBA season all have one common theme: fear. It is human nature to have fears. There are several fears that affect people from all walks of life, of course, fears are not limited to people.

Why is fear the driving topic of news stories that carry many conversations in this day and age? Furthermore, what are people most afraid of? The answer is simple, but this answer creates a much bigger question. (A question that cannot be answered in one blog post.) The answer is that people are most afraid of the truth. If we are to base news on real events, and the people who report the news are simply stating facts for the rest of the world to digest, fear of the truth is in fact the biggest fear of people.

Op-Ed articles are written to stimulate thought and debate about the news, yet most of them involve the theme of fear as the force of the opinion piece. The pundits writing these pieces form opinions around current events and the impact that they may have on society. The impacts discussed are usually a negative event that could transpire. The situations addressed are all based on issues that have occurred in similar situations or how similar things could happen unless something is done about the current situation.

We are faced with the daunting task of absorbing this fear that is placed in front of us, and we cannot help but live in fear of the truth. Fear of truth does not only present itself in the form of a news story. Even if you lived in a bubble, completely insulated from news, our biggest fear would still be the truth. Is it that we don't want to know what is true, or is the truth sometimes too unbearable for us to live with?

If things were more like math, where 1+1 always equals 2, the truth wouldn't be so bad, it's the fact that emotion plays a huge part of what makes us afraid of the truth. What if it made us upset that 1+1 equals 2? Would we be afraid of that truth? What could we do about it? There's very little to be done once you know what is true. Only some things can be changed, and even in some cases, when those things appear to be variable, those things often are not.

If you accept reality and are true to yourself, only then will you no longer be fearful of the truth. If you really put some thought into it, the only time that you can actually fear the truth is when you had some control of an outcome, and if that outcome is controlled exclusively by your efforts, you will never be scared of the truth as long as your efforts were really efforts - otherwise you have already lied to yourself and that's a much bigger problem.

The Legacy of Steve Jobs

One of the greatest innovators in American history has died. He left this world a much better and more connected place than anyone could have ever imagined. The man was brilliant, he was a minimalist at heart with a multitude of ideas. He had the impact comparable to a religious leader to the world, of course with less controversy than religious leaders usually carry.

Steve Jobs is someone who will never be replaced, he pursued his passion by dropping out of college after one semester to start Apple out of his garage. He will be remembered for repeating excellence. He started with the Apple computer, he revolutionized the computer industry for consumers and developers, he then changed the music industry altogether with the invention of the iPod and iTunes, he then revolutionized the mobile phone industry with the iPhone line and then most recently, the iPad.

He reinvented the way we communicate, create and consume. He saw where the world was going; he chose to look where people will be to develop a new product instead of what already exists. The millions of people who have bought Apple products have come to rely on his products.

His death was inevitable. He battled pancreatic cancer, and fought very hard until nearly the very end. He even knew when to step down as CEO of Apple. He relinquished his position almost two months ago, he epitomized brilliance. The sad passing leaves a legacy so great: a visionary, a family man, and a company that has become a staple to most of the world.

He was the pioneer of our time. His products have changed the way we work, play, and communicate. His charisma left every audience in awe, his influence permeated corporate America while being an entrepreneur who never saw a barrier as a wall. He will be missed, but his impact lasts forever.