Smokin Sevens

Taking a look around the world today and taking stock of where we are at; I have arrived at a list of ideas and technologies whose time have finally arrived. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Mobile Internet - Thank you Apple for the iPhone. Awesome mobile capabilities.
2. Fuel Efficient Vehicles - Hybrids, global warming, $3/gallon gasoline
3. GPS - Thank you Garmin. Thanks also to Garmin for allowing me to own some of your stock.
4. Satellite mapping for the masses - Google Maps and Google Earth
5. An unmanned, drone, robotic military - Rock on with your bad self.
6. Bundled phone, cable, and internet - Thank you for the competition. Now how about lowering my bill.
7. On demand television - This one is just a matter of time. Who is going to offer it first?

I know I have missed several other items, but it has to stop at seven due to strict editorial guidelines (not really). What is missing? How about the Nintendo Wii? That is a slick gadget. What about nanotechnology? It’s time to share your thoughts.

Now that Barry Bonds is finally closing in on Hank Aaron’s home run record, Roger Federer is making a run at tennis’ majors, and Tiger Woods is chasing Jack Nicklaus, I have been in the mood to do a little thinking.  Why is it that we compare today’s athletes with yesterday’s?  I realize that all athletics are built around competition, so it is just a natural progression.  Why then do we feel like we are experts enough to know the difference between all these athletes from different eras?  Radio talk shows, ESPN, newspaper columnists and barber shop regulars spend great amounts of time and energy debating the merits of their favorites of today and yesterday. 

Who is the best all time?  Well that depends on the sport and several other factors.  Factors that any sport lover can rattle off in a matter of minutes.  We love the oldtimers and some of the modern players aren’t too shabby either.

I have bad news for Barry, Roger, and Tiger; there is another group of men on their way up and future media will swear we are watching the best.  Guys, your accomplishments will be remembered, but like all others, they too will fade and someday someone will pass you.  It is just the natural progression of time, science, and human effort.  It is the way things go.

So with that said, why do we compare modern athletes to athletes from a different era?  I was going to take a stab at some reasoning and create the typical top seven list, but I changed my mind.  I am going to leave this one up to the comment section.  Let’s get us a good ole’ fashion discussion going.  What do you say?