A Time of Unprecedented Choice and Opportunity

It was just over a year ago that a very good friend encouraged me to live out my passion by putting words to virtual paper in the form of the blog you now read. As much as I recognize anniversaries around here, I did not feel inclined initially to even mention that September 20th would mark the first birthday of 2719 Hyperion.

But Walter Cronkite changed my mind.

Well, not directly. It was actually a Walter Cronkite of twenty years ago. Let me explain.

While waiting in the daily agony of what is typically known as the after-school car pool line, I decided to dig into my iPod and listen to an mp3 file of the late 1980s incarnation of Spaceship Earth, which featured veteran journalist and famed network news anchor Walter Cronkite as the attraction’s audio host. It was Cronkite’s concluding comments from his SSE narration that suddenly made a persistent muse materialize and land with a loud ker-plunk on my left shoulder and subsequently begin to whisper in my ear. My son ultimately jumped into the car with much fanfare, breaking me away from my sojourn to the EPCOT Center of 1987, but not before I was able to briefly reflect on the other Uncle Walt’s then very prophetic words:

"Today our search for understanding is unbounded by space and time. Centuries of information stand ready to reach us in an instant. Our link with the past; our hope for the future. In the information age, our knowledge and tools of communication will continue to grow and improve. We’ll discover new ways to share our ideas and dreams, to create a better world for today, tomorrow and tomorrow’s child.

"Yes, tomorrow’s child. Embodying our hopes and dreams for the future. A future made possible by the information age. The technologies of this new era with extend our reach, expand the capabilities of the human mind, and help us shape a better tomorrow.
"Ours is a time of unprecedented choice and opportunity, so let us explore and question and understand. Let us learn from our past and meet the challenges of the future. Let us go forth and fulfill our destiny on Spaceship Earth."

So how does an old EPCOT attraction spiel somehow relate to my waxing sentimental over the first anniversary of 2719 Hyperion? Hang in there folks, I promise the dots will all connect in the end.

But first I need to do a little Meet the Robinsons quote highlighting.

Today our search for understanding is unbounded by space and time. Centuries of information stand ready to reach us in an instant. Our link with the past; our hope for the future. In the information age, our knowledge and tools of communication will continue to grow and improve. We’ll discover new ways to share our ideas and dreams, to create a better world for today, tomorrow and tomorrow’s child.

Yes, tomorrow’s child. Embodying our hopes and dreams for the future. A future made possible by the information age. The technologies of this new era with extend our reach, expand the capabilities of the human mind, and help us shape a better tomorrow.

Ours is a time of unprecedented choice and opportunity, so let us explore and question and understand. Let us learn from our past and meet the challenges of the future. Let us go forth and fulfill our destiny on Spaceship Earth.

Since that very exciting day in 1987 when I first visited EPCOT Center, and more specifically Spaceship Earth, I have certainly experienced this wonderful future made possible by the information age. But while in the last ten years or so since I became a traveler on the World Wide Web and have used that connectivity to great benefit, I had never perceived an opportunity to pursue my passion for all things Disney in any type of online incarnation. My own total (and likely genetic) ineptness at anything HTML-related always pretty much put a damper on any Internet-related endeavors I might have considered.

But in 2006, two significant events happened to me: I purchased an iPod, and, my aforementioned friend introduced me to the world of blogging.

Via iTunes, I was quickly introduced, not to just the world of podcasting, but Disney podcasting. In short order, I discovered a very tangible, albeit one-sided link, to others as equally passionate about the Mouse and who led very similar Disney-centric lives. Somehow the actual voice connections seemed to provide a more direct contact than the often impersonal and generally anonymous communications found within forum-based Internet communities. Suddenly, I wanted to be involved. I wanted to in some way meet and interact with all these other like-minded individuals. I wanted to share my love and passion and accumulated Disney knowledge, and even engage in a debate or two. But how?

“Why don’t you start a blog,” my very good friend Jennifer casually suggested one evening last September. My HTML fears immediately charged forward, to which Jennifer quickly reassured, “Don’t worry, it’s easy.”

And to my surprise and delight, it was. I was suddenly able to share my ideas and dreams, extend my reach, and even resurrect a bit of destiny fulfillment that I had long ago abandoned. It was just like Mr. Cronkite promised some twenty years ago. See, I told you I would connect the dots.

To employ an overused but still appropriate Disney cliché, the last year has been one wild and exciting E-Ticket ride. And one with many unexpected twists and incredible surprises. The most recent being the evolution from a blogger url to 2719hyperion.com.

I have met so many friendly and welcoming individuals within the Disney online community, and have been recognized and acknowledged by both esteemed Disney scholars and well known enthusiasts whose works and efforts I have long admired and respected. I have forged what I consider to be lasting friendships, and was especially fortunate in meeting many of these new friends in person when I attended the MagicMeets fan gathering this past July.

My deepest thanks go out to all the faithful readers here who have supported and encouraged me these past twelve months. Heartfelt gratitude is also extended to my fellow Disney bloggers. We have formed a community of sorts within the larger Disney online community, and the support and camaraderie we often share is something I enjoy and value very much.