It is never easy to be a kid or a teenager. I remember my time there - I had lots of fun, but growing up is a challenge. When I grew up in the seventies, there were lots of challenges in the world apart form my own personal life - the economy, oil prices and shortages, pollution worries - you name it, we had it. It was actually a lot like today.
When I was in my teens, I really didn't think I would ever own a car. If I was lucky, maybe a small electric golf cart - those were the pessimistic ideas circulating around that time. It was not just me. Well it turned out not to be so. I think the world is much better now than it was then.
I bring this up because I came across an excellent post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-ridley/down-with-doom-how-the-wo_b_630792.html
The author is Matt Ridley who also wrote a great book called The Rational Optimist. Optimism is good for you - it supports your life and your health. It encourages more smiling - all good.
http://www.rationaloptimist.com/
I ran into a great example of why we should be optimistic. They are testing a new roadway paving stone that removes harmful pollution from the air. Now that is very cool. In orthodontics I have seen how much technology is helping us to help people and I know that every business and every technology is making progress. Very cool.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/07/07/road-surface-purifies-air-by-removing-nitrogen-oxides-nox/#more-21558
We will always have challenges - the Gulf oil leak is tragic. People and wildlife are suffering and we have to develop better technology. I am confident we are and we will. So my last word is to young people - my children, my young patients and everyone else. Lets be optimistic as we work toward making the world a better place. The future belongs to the optimists.
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About Me
- Dr. John Campbell
- I was born and raised in Winnipeg. Dentistry is in my blood. My grandfather, Fred Campbell, owned and operated a dental lab in Winnipeg. My father, Dr. William Campbell, or Bill, was an orthodontist until he retired in 1989. I used to hang around the office and I caught the bug. I graduated from The University of Manitoba with my D.M.D. in 1981. I spent one year interning at The Children’s Hospital Dental Program. I decided to be an orthodontist like my father – he loved his job and that was good enough for me. I received my orthodontic education at the University of Manitoba Graduate Orthodontic Program I love technology. More than technology, I am interested in getting better – I want to improve the service we provide to our patients, parents and their dentists, because a healthy smile is a team effort. My goal and that of my staff is never to stop getting better. I have two wonderful children. My daughter Alex is in third year Engineering at the University of Manitoba and my son Reid is in his first year of University and interested in geology. I am very happy that both of my kids are excited about the possibilities for education and technology as I am.