Dec 13, 2000
Weird prophetic dream time?
I was launching a content portal, though I’m not too clear on the specifics. I had a whole team of people working on the editorial side of things who I had heard great things about, but I hadn’t worked with any of them before. So as a training/blue-sky/bonding excercise, I took them all for a run. I sprinted out of the door with the editorial production team following hot on my heels. We ran through west London, passing familiar places at a blur. By then we were a whole pack; like that scene in Rocky 3 with all the kids. When I crossed the road, they crossed. When I jumped over a hedge, they jumped behind me. We came to a stop near Latimer Road tube station, where there was an antique shop on the corner – I hurried them all in, and asked them to each find an object that would represent something that could go on the service.They all piled in and came out grasping dusty items – I asked them to show me each one in turn.
Someone stepped forward and said “This is a mirror. I thought we could do an area about mirrors.”
I thought for a moment and said “Well, yes, we could. But doesn’t this tell us we could do something about reflection? About helping people to look at themselves?”
The next person stepped forward: “I found a sewing machine. I thought maybe we could do a sewing machine channel…” I sighed.
“Well, maybe. But we could also do something about making things; about helping people to feel constructive, giving them the tools they need?”
Another person stepped forward with a dusty object… “This is an old compass. Maybe we could do a feature on old compasses?” I grabbed it and shook my head
“No, that’s not the point. You’re all thinking too literally! Each of these things is symbolic. This compass reminds us that we need to have clear navigation. The objects act as metaphors. Don’t you see?”
Then someone else stepped forward in a hope and glory parka. He held out a paperclip and said “this reminds us that simplicity is a good thing.”
And then I hugged him for hours and hours and hours – he was so warm.
I’m beginning to feel a little like the tattoo man in my dreams. Perhaps I feel as if I’m surrounded by people who fundamentally don’t Get It. Maybe. Interpretations, anyone?
