The Next Big Idea

It seems like the world is always looking for the next big idea: the internet, cloning, Viagra, facebook, smart phones, iPads, and other exciting stuff to be announced soon. Yes, the big ideas list that begins with fire, followed closely by something to put fire out with, and continues with the pointy stick, the handle, prostitution, the wheel, and other innovations from the dawn of man to modern times seems almost endless. “What’s next?” you might ask. I sure wish I knew. I can’t tell you how many times when I was growing up someone would yell at me “Hey kid! What’s the big idea?” or “What the hell’s the big idea?” or something to that effect. Well for crying out loud, it’s kinda hard to think with that kind of pressure, so I usually just stood there looking stupid.

Now looking back on it, I realize that for a good part of my youth the world was looking to me to come up with the next big idea, and I can’t help but think that I let the world down. If just once when some older person had queried “Hey you! What's the the big idea?” I had thought a little quicker on my feet. If just once I had studied the clues around me and thought “okay - slingshot, rock, broken window” and yelled out “laser pointer!” or “global positioning system!” or anything other than “gulp!” Yes just once. Maybe I could have changed the world.

But now that I’m well into the second half of my life I’ll have to… “Viagra!” Oh, that one’s already on the list? Damn! Where was I? …Oh yeah, second half of my life I’ll have to resign myself to the fact that it’s up to the next generation to change the world. I’m afraid I’ve used up all my chances. Nobody ever asks me anymore “Hey! What’s the big idea?”… Well except when I’m drinking, but I’m sure not gonna come up with it then.

I guess all I can do now is walk out on my front lawn and yell at neighbor kids as they go by. “HEY!! WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?” Who knows, maybe I’ll discover the next Steve Jobs.