Wiser With Age

Tag: technology

  • In My Mother’s Words: On modern technology

    In My Mother’s Words: On modern technology


    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    Victoria’s mom, Bélgica, in her younger years.

    Tuesday night I took the final bite out of my MacBook Pro, Conchita 2.0 (Yes, there was an original). We have been together since 2011. I bought her while I still lived in NYC. I documented my NYC adventures, my Miami adventures, my travels and the first six months of my Atlanta adventure with her. This is where the problem comes – I may or may not be able to salvage my pictures.

    This is where I’m reminded of my mother’s words:

    “El adelanto siempre trae atraso.”

              (Advancement always comes with setbacks.)

    Back in the day, we would all print our pictures. We would focus on the moment rather than posting to social media. We rely on the digital world and some thing we call a “cloud†to store all of our stuff. Don’t get me wrong, we’re all still capable of printing, but we’ve (at least I have) made this digital progression that in a sense has caused us to almost regress.

    This applies to most things that have evolved over time. Today, we’re out with the old, and in with the new. Many times the old way is the best way, yet it is discarded and forgotten. However, this is a solid lesson learned, and a reminder to not only consistently back things up, but that it’s not always necessary to stick with what’s new. Had I printed my pictures out, I wouldn’t be lamenting the loss of my beloved Conchita 2.0 as much.

    Mom – 10226.8 days of my life being right. (28 years)

    Victoria – 0

    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.Victoria Moll-Ramirez is a broadcast journalist based in Atlanta, GA. She is originally from Miami, FL and had the great fortune of being raised by the sassiest, spunkiest, wisest, most hysterical Honduran woman in the world. Victoria’s mother, Bélgica, is 60-years-old, resides in Little Havana (Miami) and enjoys a good margarita accompanied by a heartrending ranchera. Victoria blogs about her mom’s funny and wise sayings on, “In My Mother’s Words.â€

  • Long-time NY businessman and marketer gives back by teaching

    Long-time NY businessman and marketer gives back by teaching


    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    Myron Gould (Photo/Greyson Cage Stock)

    “When I was much younger, I wanted to be a chemical engineer, but as I got a little older, I guess my mind turned more towards business,†says Myron Gould, 68. “My father was a very big influence in that decision. He was a person who was in business…he was a role model in that regard…I would sit in the car and listen to him and listen to what was going on – it was interesting. He sold machine parts, adhesives, all material used by manufacturing firms.â€

    The born and raised New Yorker has worked four decades in the business and marketing arena. In addition to being the CEO of his own business advising firm, where he helps people build business plans, he is also starting a new consulting firm to teach companies to keep their employees engaged. Gould is also an adjunct professor of marketing and management at New York University.

    “It’s my 20th year at NYU,†says Gould. “I was sitting in a friend’s office – a recruiter who dealt with direct marketing people…He got a phone call, and he said to the person on the phone, I have somebody right here. [The person] asked if I’d be interested in teaching a class, and I never stopped.â€

    And Gould never stops working it seems. In addition to running his business, he says he recently created a new capstone at the University – an option to writing a thesis for students which involves writing up a business plan instead and learning about entrepreneurship.

    “I get a considerable amount of e-mails from clients, I grade papers, then I go through many projects that I’m working on,†explains Gould. “My classes are from 6 to 9 pm, and this coming term four times a week – it varies. I have dinner at 9:30 or 10:30, then work another four hours.â€

    He says he’s making an effort in getting more sleep, however.

    “I love what I do,†says Gould. “I feel like I’m helping people.â€

    When Gould was starting out his career in the mid-1960’s, he says marketing wasn’t even called “marketing,†but “distribution.†One of his favorite jobs was at Columbia Records in his early 30’s.

    “It was a great place,†he remembers. “Sometimes I debate whether I should have left or not. I was recruited for a consulting firm.â€

    Today, he thinks video is the way to go. He uses green screen technology to create videos to complement his teaching.

    “I have virtual sets,†says the high-tech professor, excitedly. “I can put myself into a green room…Like where a weather person delivers the weather. I create videos of some of my lessons and make them available for people…I can be doing my work while sipping piña coladas on a ship.â€

    What advice would he tell his younger self about life?

    “I would talk about getting enough information to make good decisions,†he says. “A lot of times we make decisions impatiently, but sometimes it’s better to slow down a little bit. There were times in my life where I could have made a better decision by not acting so quickly.â€

    He adds his biggest project currently is getting his grandson, who just turned 4, to have a good life.

    “What he does with his life is his choice, but I want him to be equipped to make those decisions,†says Gould.