Parting advice as financial columnist takes a bow
Reflections on 21 years writing for The Record
By: Eli Amdur
Vantage Point
NorthJersey.com
07/07/2024
..... Things change.
..... Sometimes they do because we make them change; mostly, though, under circumstances not of our own choosing.
.....
So, after 21 years as a special contributor to the newspaper [The Record] - 19 in the Jobs section and two in Business - this is my final article.
..... don't jump to conclusions. There's nothing wrong between me and this newspaper. the four
editors with whom I've worked - tow in each section - are as professional as any co-workers I've had in my 56-year career. And I can't imagine an editor in this business who could be more supportive of my writing, more confident in my weekly topic selection, or more appreciative of my individual style. Cheers, gentlemen, and thanks for letting me sign off in his dignified manner.
I'm not done. where you'll find me.
..... But I'm a long way from giving up writing. After 21 years it's in my blood - and there will always be issues to discuss. So I'm not done. After a few weeks to myself, I'll be posting frequently on my blog, contact information for which is at the end of this column. but first, a few thoughts about these 21 years and about the future.
..... Journalism is sacred and it carries with it an enormous responsibility. Over these 21 years, my already huge appreciation for journalists - especially reporters - has only grown.
..... I couldn't on my best day do what they do every day: cover the world in a timely, objective, thoughtful manner. they play a grossly underappreicated role in our lives.
..... But I am a columnist and essayist, and I hope I've met your expectations for good commentary and valuable advice. that, as I see it, was my role.
..... I've also tried to inject perspective. Throughout my long career, I think I've met that objective. It's why my column is called "Vantage Point." It sets a high standard for me.
The power of imagination
..... Look back, here are some of the outsize issues about which I've written for you and to you:
* Artificial Intelligence proved what I dared profer five years ago, that AI would soon become the greatest transformation in human history. that didn't take long. did it? and we still can't imagine what's ahead, unless we're not afraid to imagine. Arthur C. Clarke's 1951 short story "The Sentinel" fathered Stanley Kubrick;s 1968 movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" - and that;s what imagining looks like, if we can dare such thoughts. "Imagination is more important than knowledge," stated Albert Einstein - and that;s what not being afraid to imagine looks like.
*
The Great Recession was a once-in-a-lifetime job market hit, never to be repeated.
* the pandemic, with other global crisis, was a once-in-a-lifetime job market hit, never ... oh, well.
* We have an economic recovery with unprecedented growth - in scope and duration (it's still growing) - that's been so thorough and ongoing, that many people still don't believe it. believe it.
* mRNA is a world changer, A brilliant young scientists., Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, is this century's Jonas Salk. and her breakthrough - mRNA - will take us from combating diseases to predicting and preventing new ones. Talk about a paradigm shift!
* The stunning achievement of fusion energy will change more than energy; it will change entire economies, even from market viability, but this was the birth, no question.
* Quantum computing, the James Webb Telescope, and nanotechnology will simultaneously make the world and the universe infinitesimally smaller and endlessly larger. It's become evident that we can never back down form expanding our sphere of awareness.
* Social media, fro what it's worth, has changed more personal, communal, societal, and civilizational norms than we ever expected when we started getting giddy with Facebook 20 years ago. I feel it is a shame that more harm than good has come from it, but who cares what I think?
Three overarching lessons: heartfelt advice
1. don't get too used to anything, because it's going to change -fast.
2. Your three most important career and life skills are critical reading, critical listening and critical thinking. when everything lees is stripped away, that;s all you're got.
3. G.K. Chesterton rued, "We are perishing for want of wonder, not for want of wonder." Our preeminent challenge is to rekindle our sense of wonder, fascination, awe, and inspiration. All else follows - readily.
Signing off now
..... That's it, dear readers, dear clients and dear friends. I'm now out of here, but certainly not done. Please bookmark my website www.eliamudr.com and click on the Blog tab. I intend to fill it up as eagerly and energetically as i have done here. I can't promise you another 21 years, but I can promise you my best for as long as I'm able. While you're there, please check out my "Coach on Call" program. It's the best idea I've had in 27 years of coaching. And please email me at eli.amdur@amdurcoaching.com to be included on my mailing list.
A million thanks
..... Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading me, sharing your feedback with me, trusting me to make sense of the world for you from my vantage point, and giving me the chance to grow through all of this. And now, onward, because ... things change.
..... See you on my site.