Re: Loose Cannon: No Laughing Matter, Direct Newsline, Oct. 29, 2007:
You’re right, of course. “What else is burning in Southern California?” is just awful. Mistakes are different; you don’t make them intentionally.
I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes and, thanks to the bosses who talked to me about them, I learned to be more careful. Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, things happen. About 10 years ago, we sent out a mailing with Sarah Ferguson on the cover and a few “quotes” from her. One of them read “It’s easier than outrunning the paparazzi.” Her friend, Princess Diana, chased by paparazzi, died while our piece was on its way to millions of people.
Or, maybe it’s because there are so few consequences these days. I used to worry about looking bad, being ashamed of making a dumb mistake, maybe getting fired. Now it seems that nobody stays in a job long enough to really care. That’s too bad, because they also don’t stick around long enough to learn. I was lucky with people like John Stevenson, Larry Chait, and Fred Stines. They were bosses but also my teachers and role models.
I wonder how the current crop of teachers and role models will ever manage to pass along all the things they’ve learned over the years. I suspect that’s what is making you sad about all of this.
Lois K. Geller
President
Mason & Geller Direct
Hollywood, FL
Network
