Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "legacy"
My Legacy
In President Bill Clinton’s last year in office, he became plagued with scandals. Out of that huge mess, one aspect stands out for me. He had a great concern that his scandals would damage his legacy. I thought this to be an odd priority.
Recently, I have been thinking of my legacy. What long-lasting accomplishments have I made up to this point? I am raising a wonderful daughter, engineered many products, contributed online, have a good marriage and published one book. Obviously, my greatest legacy is my daughter.
The question remains. What do I want people to think about when they hear the name Bill Conrad? Over the years, I set many goals. The most endearing is to start a business. What goals have gone away? I failed to write four patents and stopped working at 11 companies for various reasons. Wow, 11? Something to think about.
Is that it? How about getting a big prize for being an author? An engineering award? An Oscar for a movie based on my book? A hero medal for saving somebody's life? Such awards would be nice, but they are not goals. I would like to think that my efforts speak for themselves.
It seems like I am dancing around the topic. True. My firm answer is that my daughter is my only real legacy. If people like my books or use my engineered products, that is wonderful. Otherwise, I am content to let my name slip away into the digital dust. Still. It would be nice to start a business. Got to work on that.
Recently, I have been thinking of my legacy. What long-lasting accomplishments have I made up to this point? I am raising a wonderful daughter, engineered many products, contributed online, have a good marriage and published one book. Obviously, my greatest legacy is my daughter.
The question remains. What do I want people to think about when they hear the name Bill Conrad? Over the years, I set many goals. The most endearing is to start a business. What goals have gone away? I failed to write four patents and stopped working at 11 companies for various reasons. Wow, 11? Something to think about.
Is that it? How about getting a big prize for being an author? An engineering award? An Oscar for a movie based on my book? A hero medal for saving somebody's life? Such awards would be nice, but they are not goals. I would like to think that my efforts speak for themselves.
It seems like I am dancing around the topic. True. My firm answer is that my daughter is my only real legacy. If people like my books or use my engineered products, that is wonderful. Otherwise, I am content to let my name slip away into the digital dust. Still. It would be nice to start a business. Got to work on that.
My Message
It has been a few years since I started writing, and I have lots of material to look back on. In a previous blog, I discussed what legacy I wish to leave:
http://interviewingimmortality.com/bl...
I did not discuss what impact I hope my work makes. I suppose the answer depends on the reader's perspective. We have a near-infinite number of books at our disposal, and a variety wrote them of authors.
Some writers desire fame, money, happiness, or change. For example, the author might write a religious book to enlighten their readers. The author of an electronics textbook would hope their readers make the world a better place through improved electrical knowledge. The science fiction writer might wish to expand the reader's imagination. Perhaps a romance author hopes their readers lead a more romantic life.
Of course, authors may have ulterior motives. One might wish their readers to vote for a specific candidate or take on their opinion. Another author might want to slander a group or expose a lie.
Not all books are serious, and I have found that authors wish to entertain rather than persuade. Many writers do not care what their readers think. An author might live in a bubble and not consider the reader to be part of the process.
What should my readers come away with? My primary goal is to entertain. A secondary goal would be to have them think about this world and themselves. Of course, it would be nice to make a few bucks and have my readers recommend my work.
Do I wish to change the world for the better? Of course, but my books will not accomplish this worthy task. What about my blogs? They are more thought-provoking and educational. For example, my last blog discussed generators, and I hope my efforts educated my four readers.
Perhaps my blogs will inspire a few readers. Or is this wishful thinking, and my blogs only provide fluff entertainment? Hmm. Something to think about. (Entertainingly, of course.) Is making something entertaining a worthy goal? I think so, and I hope that I entertained you today.
http://interviewingimmortality.com/bl...
I did not discuss what impact I hope my work makes. I suppose the answer depends on the reader's perspective. We have a near-infinite number of books at our disposal, and a variety wrote them of authors.
Some writers desire fame, money, happiness, or change. For example, the author might write a religious book to enlighten their readers. The author of an electronics textbook would hope their readers make the world a better place through improved electrical knowledge. The science fiction writer might wish to expand the reader's imagination. Perhaps a romance author hopes their readers lead a more romantic life.
Of course, authors may have ulterior motives. One might wish their readers to vote for a specific candidate or take on their opinion. Another author might want to slander a group or expose a lie.
Not all books are serious, and I have found that authors wish to entertain rather than persuade. Many writers do not care what their readers think. An author might live in a bubble and not consider the reader to be part of the process.
What should my readers come away with? My primary goal is to entertain. A secondary goal would be to have them think about this world and themselves. Of course, it would be nice to make a few bucks and have my readers recommend my work.
Do I wish to change the world for the better? Of course, but my books will not accomplish this worthy task. What about my blogs? They are more thought-provoking and educational. For example, my last blog discussed generators, and I hope my efforts educated my four readers.
Perhaps my blogs will inspire a few readers. Or is this wishful thinking, and my blogs only provide fluff entertainment? Hmm. Something to think about. (Entertainingly, of course.) Is making something entertaining a worthy goal? I think so, and I hope that I entertained you today.
