Crastinate

Productivity froze to a standstill at work today. The office was huddled around the one computer that was able to get a good connection to the live stream of the US Open. Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate were tied at the end of the final round yesterday and headed to an 18 hole playoff. After another 18 holes, the two were still tied and headed to a sudden death one hole match. As Tiger won the tournament, the noise level of the room went from eerily quiet to rambunctious. Hugs, high fives, and overall excitement ensued. What is it about Tiger Woods that makes us so excited? I think golf is a good sport, but I don’t follow it. But I really enjoy watching Tiger Woods. I don’t think I’m alone. Tiger Woods is greatness in golf. We all appreciate greatness.

Companies, as well,  have been able to achieve greatness in the public’s eye. eBay used to be great (some may argue they still are). Google still is great (even though Michael Arrington thinks otherwise). I think Wordpress is great. So is Wikipedia, 37 Signals and scores of other companies that are doing a damn good job of creating quality products at reasonable prices. This greatness, however, blinds us. We fail to see the problems with a company that we love so much.

A perfect example is the Apple fanboys who aren’t willing to acknowledge that Apple is going to have an extremely hard time competing against RIM in the business mobile market. The opposite effect happens as well. The hater effect. So many people refuse to acknowledge that AOL might have some value and that Microsoft can come out with a good product.  At least I’m willing to admit that my admiration (and dissention) for people and companies can blind me from the bad (or good) things they might do. With this in mind, however, I’m still in awe of Tiger Woods today. Congratulations Tiger. Give that knee a rest. You deserve it.

Ely Rosenstock