Producing a daily column on displays and related technology doesn’t usually pose any great problem. There is always something new, exciting, and/or interesting to write about. But somehow today is different, as the monumental weight of the hour extends its force into everyday life-even the life of a display hack like myself.

Steve Sechrist
Senior Analyst and Editor

Don’t get me wrong, I was proud to watch the historic Inauguration of our 44th President on a wide-screen plasma in HD, delivered over a digital ATSC signal from our local broadcasters here in Portland, OR. I was also gratified to see that most local channels delivered an HD quality feed, offering the viewer not only the best quality, but choice over which coverage to watch. So in a small way, the display industry was front and center in delivering the technology that helped us witness the change we all so desperately desire.

But the weight of the day’s events cries out for recognition beyond the display industry-or any industry for that matter. It reaches out to the common humanity we share not just here in the US, but globally.

I found in my in-box this morning a post with the simple subject line "Today". It was sent from Insight Media’s European representative and colleague, George Isaacs with these simple words:

"You may not be aware of how big today is outside your own country. Almost without exception every national paper in the UK has a picture of Barack Obama on the front page and I suspect the same throughout Europe. Every Radio and TV news channel has the inauguration as lead item and BBC TV has eight hours of continuous broadcasting from Washington. There is an almost overwhelming burden of hope that this man has to carry and all that any fair minded person can do, regardless from which country or of which creed, is to wish him and his administration well."

Perhaps what George is really saying to us here "across the pond," is the United States is not simply the "world’s most powerful nation." It is the nation that inspires hope to the rest of the world, not (or perhaps in spite of) how we exercise global hegemony but rather in how we demonstrate that inherited gift of freedom- through the genius of creativity that freedom unleashes.

Once more, this strength is not exclusive or unique to this country, for if anything else, the US stands for egalitarian principles that shout to the world, "Look here-this is the way to prosperity, growth and a better life for your children."

Wealth does not come from strength or power, but from the creative impulses of a free people that dare to dream, create and build.

So let us take time to reflect on the meaning of Today, and celebrate this peaceful transfer of power that represents so much to our still young nation, and to the rest of the world. This is a day we can all be proud, for the event transcends nations and boundaries, tribes and race, demonstrating to the world that a free people can change and grow, and in so doing, inspire the next generation to do even more. - Steve Sechrist