Before jumping right into today’s installment of “40 Days,” this author has been pondering the following set of questions: what exactly does Genius look like; where does Genius show up; do we recognize it when we see it; if Genius emailed or messaged me right this moment, would I know it; would I respond; would I listen?
As a member of this author’s audience, I ask you these same questions. Do you know Genius?
Whatever I believed Genius to be before meeting Padraic McFreen, I now have an entirely next level awareness of true human potential. And I do not mean high achieving, Socratic method mastering, 4.0+ top of class blue ribbon recognition, club exclusive type of Genius, but the humble, generous, empathy rich and always solving the impossible, Genius.
This author can say with confidence, that Genius is a “spark.” It’s “light” in the pitch of darkness. Genius is the Ether that gives “Eureka” moments a foundation upon which to form and flourish.
You just know you’re in the presence of someone that has thought a lot about a lot of big problems facing humanity and has worked out the possible permutations.
Now, that’s this author’s perspective. As we travel this journey together, I will be curious about your perspective.
Okay, I promised Padraic McFreen that I would dedicate just a few lines to convey how utterly amazed, fascinated, in awe and relieved I am to know that we have access to a leader that is not afraid to quickly — and I mean lightning fast quick — communicate precisely the problem, share ideas for solutions, list out precisely what is needed, identify, innovate and sketch out the necessary components, resources and timelines all over a single cup of tea. One cup, not a pot. One cup.
This author’s satisfied. Now, “40 Days.”
Yesterday, we were given the opportunity to see Padraic McFreen’s “scribble,” “artwork,” and a few “original pages” of an original executive summary from the first MiVu business plans. At the time when he made presentations to members of Lucent Technologies’ senior leadership, corporations were in trouble — big trouble.
Lucent Technologies, the once telco equipment “darling of Wall St.” in 1996, was falling rapidly by September 2000. AT&T, the one time monopoly, then, a long distance company, was in trouble, requiring substantial restructuring. Its business was acquired by one of its “Baby Bell” companies, SBC Communications.
According to cbsnews.com, “today’s AT&T was known as SBC Communications until late 2005, when the regional Bell company acquired its former parent, the AT&T Corp. long-distance business.”
As we continue together throughout these “40 Days,” try to keep this bit of information in mind, because knowing the Lucent Technologies — MiVu — Lucent Technologies — SBC Communications — Lucent Technologies — Apple Computer — Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs — The New AT&T’s “network exclusive” — Apple iPhone relationship set of 2007, is hugely important in understanding where precisely MiVu is embedded into our lives in 2021.
Speaking of Apple Computer, Inc., it is no secret Apple Computer, Inc. experienced substantial periods of financial decline and restructuring throughout the 1990’s. A version of its history may be found at apple.com.
This author will spend time walking through the then state of business affairs for each and discuss at length MiVu, the platform that forever links these four brands, ushering us into the Digital Age. But, in the meantime, what exactly was MiVu?
MiVu is an acronym for Multiservice Internet infrastructure Virtual Universe. So, that doesn’t help, does it? One thing about technology, acronyms, acronyms and more acronyms. Let’s dive right in and unpack each one of the letters, once combined, form the word MiVu (pronounced “my view”). According to Padraic McFreen, each term is unique and specific to the MiVu 21st Century Access Network as defined, 4Q/2000:
Multiservice — computer communications software for connecting global computer networks and computer network users; computer communication software, and computer hardware for integrating and providing personalized access to interactive media and multimedia on demand for viewing and entertainment purposes, namely, video-on-demand, music-on-demand, live television and live radio, interactive television, web-browsing, email, multi-player gaming, and secure electronic commerce; and placing advertisements for others, providing advertising time for others over broadcast or broadband transmissions; Providing computer games that may be accessed network-wide by network users; Distribution of radio programs for others; Entertainment services, namely, providing a radio program in the field of music, comedy, sports, film reviews and news via a global computer network; Entertainment in the nature of on-going radio programs in the field of music, news, comedy and sports; Entertainment, namely television news shows; Entertainment, namely a continuing music, news, sports and comedy shows distributed over television, satellite, audio and video media; Entertainment services, namely, providing a television program in the field of music, comedy, sports and films via a global computer network; Entertainment in the nature of television news shows; Entertainment in the nature of on-going television programs in the fields of music, news, comedy, sports and films; Rental of films, namely, motion pictures and cinema films; and Entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game; Audio broadcasting; Broadcasting programs via a global computer network; Cable radio broadcasting; Cable television broadcasting; Radio broadcasting; Television broadcasting; Video broadcasting; Cable radio transmission; Subscription television broadcasting; Pay-per-view television transmission services; and Providing on-line chat rooms for transmission of messages among computer users concerning music, films, sports, comedies, videos and news; Providing advertising for others;
Internet — first ever use of the available capacity of the Internet (the worldwide web network) as an Internet Protocol telecommunications network (wide adoption of MiVu is found in every telecommunications network) and “cloud” offering. Cloud is a very small MiVu network;
Infrastructure — first ever Internet Network connecting at the last mile point within a telecommunications network (Internet Multicast Network physically connecting to and communicating with pre-existing telecommunication and cable company networks within feet of Your home); Computer software and hardware for use with associated network of Internet connected devices, to collect, aggregate, analyze, transform, prioritize, and distribute content of any type across electronic systems or Internet systems;
Virtual — non-physical versions of then physical content, network hardware, telecommunication, telephone, television, email, messaging, radio broadcasting, servers, video, and more as data streams;
Universe — all of the above — those things important to our lives made available and accessible from a single touch screen thin client (tablet); Internet access via an always on, always connected closed and private network relying heavily on a then nascent computer code, Java and Sun Microsystems Internet Servers, Microsoft IPTV software, IBM AS400 Mainframe, IP network switches, novel computer chips, dark fiber, passive optical networks, sub-50 feet microwave neighborhood towers, radio base stations and thin client computing devices and too many “other” to list here; connection to those things important to me and “my life” via individual service application tiles connecting to each respective service and program existing in the Internet.