This blog loves disruptive technologies and vendors. They tend to be unpredictable, break the mold. And we love the British with all their eccentricities. And I mean that in an affectionate way.
When I arrived in London for a “tour in duty” in 1988, an American technology executive who hosted events all over Europe told me “When we open the buffet in Paris or Rome, chaos breaks out. In the UK, they queue up even if the line is an hour long”. That evening, a bunch of British football fans caused chaos at a stadium away from home. Yes, the country is full of contradictions and they are on full display at the Olympics.
Take the Queen/James Bond segment at the Opening Ceremony . The Queen barely acknowledged 007 – only us commoners go ga-ga over a civil servant. Yet she allowed a stunt double to skydive for her into the Stadium. Royal Protocol? Yeah, try that for her darling Corgis who also starred in the segment.
Or try to keep Rowan Atkinson in line as he buffooned his way through the iconic British theme from Chariots of Fire.
Take the Cauldron. The designer, Thomas Heatherwick, was told “no moving parts” presumably given the inherent risk of fire in a crowded stadium. Instead he designed one of the most complex, eye popping ones ever.
In a time when socialized medicine is heatedly debated, Danny Boyle’s production proudly celebrated the UK National Health Service.
The production, magnificent in its display of British dominance during the Industrial Revolution, skirted with Are you kidding me? as it moved to Britain during the Digital Age (in spite of Tim Berners-Lee who was honored). Fortunately, it focused more on British music from Freddie Mercury to Paul McCartney.
It is a country never sure about multi-culturalism, yet Heathrow, any given morning has more exotic tails on aircraft than any other airport in the world. London also has a mayor named Boris. So it was good to see Danny sprinkle immigrants throughout the production
And yet the country keeps its own sense of what is “propah”. US Swimmer Ryan Lochte almost forfeited his Gold Medal for wearing dental bling at the award podium.
Ah, Great Britain. Keep on surprising! We love disruptive behavior.
