Thanks to the sponsorship of those splendid chaps at Nixon McInnes, LocoMatrix was voted as the company with “the Most Awesome Use of Digital Media” at the 2008 Brighton and Hove Business Awards (BAHBAs). I received the award at the ceremony with fellow directors, Moira Nangle and Tom Hume (plus Tom’s partner Sophie Barrett) being present, before having to rush off to a previously arranged holiday in Ramsgate. (Ramsgate, you ask? Yes, location of The Grange, home to near-forgotten architect, Augustus Pugin.)
Whilst absolutely delighted with the award, I might just mention a little whinge about the word awesome. For something with the meaning of “creating fear or wonder,” I do get a little tired of hearing, e.g. when ordering the sea bass at a restaurant, the waiter reply “that’s awesome”. No it is not! (Although thinking about it, it would make a great super-power to have – to inspire real awe into people whenever you said something (cuts out the middle bit of having to rescue damsons). “I’ll have the profiteroles.” “Woooooowwww” “With the double cream” “Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh” (= expression of abject fear).
So I guess, whilst I would be far to modest to say that what we are doing is awesome, if we can have any impact on improving the health of young people by getting them to exercise – and as a consequence start to reduce the fast approaching 1 million youngsters who are obese, and as a consequence of that, reduce the onset of diabetes and related illnesses, and as a consequence of that reduce the 20% of resources of the NHS budget (projected figure for 2010) spent on treatments …
… then that would be awesome.
I would say its essential to remain modest – however the goal is an awesome whole inspiring one – I think thats how we envisaged the word ‘awesome’ and not so totally rad – like cool, erm awesome painful americana teen movie.