Iconoclasts

Iconoclasts has become one of my favorite programs on Sundance Channel. I love watching people that are passionate about what they do, working their craft, no matter how seemingly mundane it may be to some. I am engrossed with the talents of others and delight in it. Every once in a while someone will spit brilliance out of their mouth that renders me in awe.

I've seen the episode with Dean Kamen several times and still get a slap in the head each time I watch. He demonstrates several of his inventions that could possibly save and enrich millions of lives. Small machines purifying water and generators creating electricity from dung, wheelchairs that stand up and climb up and down stairs and home dialysis machines. He then states that technology is the easy part, it's changing people that is difficult.

Solutions exist, but either the people that can benefit most cannot afford the devices, or people in general refuse to do anything differently than what they are accustomed to whether it be from pride, politics, inability to profit from it, ignorance or simple disbelief and skepticism. It's time to start cleaning water instead of spilling blood. Time to encourage instead of destroy. Time to help a brother out instead of kick him while he's down. It's time to share instead of steal or deny.

It might also be time to build a bigger soapbox, preferably with firm cushions. I snacked all the way through the program and can barely move. Seriously. I had 2 hot dogs, valentine's cake, a liter of Mountain Dew, popcorn, a milky way, kiwi, a can of peaches and pistachios. The show is only an hour long. Take the opportunity to watch!