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It’s now well past the 6PM, May 21st deadline for the Rapture of God’s elect, as predicted by false prophet Harold Camping of Family Radio infamy. I am still here, as is everyone else. Unlike many others, I did not sell my possessions or take any drastic actions, based on the world coming to an end.
I leave Mr. Camping to answer to his deceived followers and ultimately to the God that he mocked. For what it’s worth, I think he is in an even worse position than Microsoft, trying to sell their CRM solution! There are, however a couple of important lessons to be learned from this debacle.
First, just because something is complex and full of numbers, calculations, and jargon, it isn’t necessarily true. The proofs for the end of the world were head spinning in depth and so numerous as to sink commonsense. Still, they were wrong. Think about that, every time someone shows you how beyond any doubt whatsoever that “XYZ is the only possible solution”.
Complicated questions seldom have simple answers. Social media is not necessarily the answer for every business problem. Saleforce’s Chatter is great, but might not be the total answer for collaboration for every case. The truth is generally not red or blue, but a shade of purple. Don’t be dazzled by bullshit.
Second, don’t believe experts just because lots of other people do. Mr. Camping had predicted the end before, but was obviously wrong. Still, he managed to achieve a critical mass of devotees and that mass gathered others, like mice drawn to poisoned bait.
Examine revelations with a questioning spirit. Not every revelation or breakthrough is wrong, but don’t take the word of experts as gospel. Remember when we were all going to live 24/7 online and have packs of gum delivered to our doorstep in 10 minutes, for free? The People Who Knew told us to not worry about a business plan, to “just trust” them.
So, the world goes on, “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be”. I’ll be going to Mass at Holy Family Catholic church tomorrow, teaching an RCIA class, and going to work with technology on Monday. To be honest, I’m glad the world didn’t end. I’m not ready to quit serving my God and my fellow humans, here on Earth.
