I am not what you would call an early adopter of new technologies.Yes, our family has moved past dial-up and I get that WiFi is not a fruit drink but I likely fall into the category of users who move into web and wireless based products when it reaches a level of usage that could be called, "common" or "everyday". So it was with the decision to finally try blogging and also exploring YouTube and all that it offers. The online video service is truly overwhelming for someone like myself who fumbles through its possibilities recognizing that the curve of innovation and imagination is so far ahead of me, its already in another town. This week provided the chance to see the best and worst of this technology, both within the realm of sports media. The video of Howard Cosell informing viewers that John Lennon had been shot and killed during a Monday Night Football broadcast is one of those "moments in time" that is forever emblazoned in the memories of many. I had forgotten it, in all honesty until yesterday when I viewed it again-several times, listening to Cosell's iconic and unforgettable delivery and the resounding silence as booth partners Frank Gifford and Fran Tarkenton stayed quiet long enough to let the devastating news wash over viewers across North America. Compare that with the "foot in mouth moment" from Darren Pang from "The NHL on TSN" hockey panel from earlier this week. Pang, talking about Montreal Canadiens PK Subban got tongue tied and said Subban (who is black), should comport himself on and off the ice, "the white way" as opposed to the "right way". Credit to Panger and TSN for quickly apologizing for the slip in the next intermission but the damage is done with almost 122,000 views since it was posted on YouTube 2 days ago. The good and not so good of this age we live in, where we are thankful we can relive a moment like Cosell's performance. For Darren Pang, 200,000 views awaits and the embarrassment he will carry with him longer than usual because of the availability of his mistake on laptops all over the world. It is easy to say that for technology like YouTube, and those who are saved within its video archives, it is the best and worst of times.
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