A Tale of Two Lobsters.

There is an ancient Nova Scotian proverb about two lobster fishermen meeting in the middle of the Gulf of Maine. As is customary the two boats (one NS and one US) meet up and exchange stories and baked goods. As the two fishing boats were tied together the Maine lobsterman noticed that the NS lobsterman didn’t cover up his lobster cages and asked the question “aren’t you worried about your fresh catch escaping back into the ocean?”

The NS lobsterman looked bewildered and said “Of course I’m not. You see these are Nova Scotian lobsters, as soon as one starts to climb to the top of the cage the rest will pull it back down.”

I find myself a dreamer in a difficult environment where innovative thought is often met with bewildered looks and questions about why you would defy the status quoe. I’m not sure if it is due to years of economic hardship endured by our province or if it’s the isolation from the rest of the country that breeds this idea of “Cannot”. Imagine for a moment if everyone, including myself, were totally open to brand new ideas and trying new things. What kind of place would we live in? Would we spiral into chaos or would be thrive both culturally and economically?

Nova Scotia’s isolation isn’t necessarily a downfall and has also given us some advantage. Firstly we have a great musical landscape here where talent is naturally developed and not created like in other major centers. Bands have also never relied on recorded product sale to make their way which has put us ahead of the rest of the country. NS musicians have always realized that playing live is the only way to break through and get anywhere be they Hardcore, Rock or Celtic roots.” The same can be said about new music industry professionals as they look for new ways to get the music we make out to the masses. Innovation, technology and the notion that you can not get caught up with the “cannots” will ultimately put us all ahead of the curve.

I have had the chance to travel and see much of the world. I’ve seen the kill or be killed business of NYC and had power lunch meetings in LA and I don’t think there is a place for either one of those models in Nova Scotia but I do believe there is room for more.

We speak of the brain drain to the USA, the loss of jobs and the labor shortage due to the western oil sands but do we ever ask ourselves why we leave? I think the answer goes deeper than just better jobs and more money, I think the reason is that hard working Nova Scotia’s know they will fight to get out of the “lobster cage” if they stay and that there may be another place that is more receptive to new ideas.

I don’t believe in the word “cannot” nor do I believe I would be better off in another city but I do believe we can do better; we can support more innovative thinkers and swing the pendulum in another trajectory.

So how about we all put on our thinking caps and try something new, exciting and innovative on for size and see how it fits. I bet you’ll be surprised with the results of this experiment be they good or bad.