Over the past several years a lot of terrible, terrible consequences have been the byproduct of the pandemic, but numerous positive outcomes that have arisen as well. One that many of us have benefited from is how technology has improved enough to allow us to virtually communicate with each other, without ever leaving our homes. This is something that a decade ago (or even more recently) would have been considered space age stuff.
Years ago, my wife and her mother attained a not-easy-to-get subscription to the Boston Speaker Series. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a series of monthly lectures at Boston’s Symphony Hall that include influential politicians, business leaders, scientists, authors, artists and entertainers, who share their experiences, insights, and thought-provoking perspectives on a wide range of topics.
When my wife got home from the lectures, I always heard about how incredible the speakers were and how they shared this and that impactful message, and too bad you missed it. The reason is up for debate, but the fact is I was not invited to any of the events. That is, until Covid changed things.
Like other public events, the venue was required to take a hiatus once the pandemic hit. Also, like other events, once they restarted the program in the fall of 2021, subscribers could attend the lectures both in person and virtually. As a result, I finally got my “invite” and I’m completely hooked!
So far, I’ve seen 11 lectures covering the gamut from John Bolton to Loretta Lynch and learned about genetic engineering and Bill Nye The Science Guy’s take on UFO’s and likelihood of future interplanetary travel. I’ve learned that I may agree or disagree with the speaker’s message, but really what makes the lecture special is the connection between the speaker and audience and the passion in which the message is delivered.
My only hope is that when they go back to in-person presentations only, which I’m sure they will, that it won’t be anytime soon. At that juncture, hopefully my wife will extend an invitation my way now and then.
