What impresses us? ESPNs Top Ten Plays is always impressive.
Based on People Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, we’re impressed with people
who can sing and act, as well as athletes, innovators, and politicians. For
some reason, we also seem to be impressed with celebrities whose only claim to
fame is that they’re celebrities. I’ve always wondered how that comes about.
But maybe we’re focusing on the wrong things. Maybe we
should give a little more credit to the people who designed the bridge we drive
over every day, or the elevators we ride in. We only tend to pay attention to
them when something goes wrong, but to work, the designers, engineers, and
builders had to do a million things right.
On one hand, we’re impressed with people who can do things
we can’t, like throw a baseball almost 100 mph or walk a tightrope. On the
other, we ignore people who are good at things we know nothing about, like
dentists or farmers. We assume our fillings are supposed to be perfect and our fresh
produce will be at the store whenever we want it.
Personally, I think Edwin Ruud, inventor of the tank storage
water heater, should get more credit. If I had to do without modern conveniences,
a hot shower would be in my top ten of most missed.
I’m fairly ordinary, but I graduated from college with
honors, I’m a decent cook, I’ve made some lovely quilts, and I’ve written
several books and short stories. And yet, the only time I remember truly
impressing my son is when he was in the fourth grade. I was typing a paper for
him, and suddenly, with awe in his voice, he said, “You’re not even looking at
the keyboard!”
Ironically, I’m not even a good touch typist. In my high
school typing class – yes, with typewriters like old black-and-white movies – my
highest speed was around thirty-two words per minute. My best friend could top
fifty on a good day. Fortunately, I didn’t have to earn my living that way. And
yet it impressed him because it was something he couldn’t do.
Look around. We’re surrounded by the fruits of talented
people that make our lives easier, healthier, and more fun. What impresses you?
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