I went with the girls to see the Lion King last nightArcher spent the evening with his cousins, Grace & Jack and it marked the second time in a few weeks that I had been incredibly impressed and inspired. The first was this commercial and the “making of” documentary.

For the first time in a few years they both made me re-define my answer to the “What do you want to do when you grow up” question. I can point to either one of them and say “I want to do that” – and then go about learning how to do that.

I used to feel that way when we were doing things like this and this or even this. I don’t think it’s entirely my job that’s changed – I know my viewpoint has and I can still find challenges and inspiration in the little details of my work…

… but something seems different.

It seems that the Internet has become more compartmentalized – more widget oriented. It may be an evolution of sorts, but I think the the evolution is slowing down and maybe even stagnating. For better or for worse, the focus is shifting from innovation to stabilization and the innovations that exist are narrowly focused and introverted.

The prevailing mood is less “look what we can do with the internet” and more “look what I can do in a browser”.

And I feel a bit curmudgeonly today.

EDIT: Oh, and the Lion King reminded me how much I used to live listening to Johnny Clegg and how well it helped me git into the flow.

EDIT: This also makes the list.