From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com
Q: Dear Mike,
I am not sure how you feel about it, but I feel that you are a bringer of a new consciousness. Thanks to Liz I finally received the February issue of Fast Company and was able to read it. Sorry it took so long but I could not get a copy.
You stated humbly “These things are incredible and flattering. I’ve come to realize that I’m really doing something else here.”
Your modesty is admirable and I didn’t understand it at first but now I think I do. Please Mike correct me if I am wrong.
For one to be in the public eye, attention and admiration is heavily responsible for sending out a message. It is a difficult task but you have been blessed with the talent to bring that message with success to many people.
The message as I see it is that we are all connected by simple need for each other and cooperation. (Civilized) However civilized people may think we are, too many turn their back on how it all works.
I believe that you are one of the few who are helping with the shift that is needed to occur with our country and the rest of the world as a whole. Thank you.
My question is…
How do you keep your ego out of it? Or do you?
You always seem to be humble, gracious while answering the same questions over and over. You give as much attention as you can to us, the show, the media and hundred thousand other seeds you’ve planted.
Several threads question some of your complex and verbose posts.
Why do you do that?
To challenge us, to educate us or to show that you are smarter than a p00per scooper-)
On top of this you’ve managed to keep a big part of your life private (at least the fans here respect that request.)
Are there two of you? You know what I mean?
Do you feel that you have brought your message to fruition?
Is there more to it, sort of like a “To Be Continued” to keep your audience?
Lisa — plantwhisperer1
A: “I am not sure how you feel about it, but I feel that you are a bringer of a new consciousness.”
Thanks Lisa, but that’s a little grand for my taste. I’ve always believed the show has some larger, worthwhile themes underneath the dirt, but nothing really new. If anything, I suspect Dirty Jobs reminds people that work isn’t always about the corner office or the perks or the pension plan. It’s a good message, but hardly revolutionary. Just out of favor.
“You stated humbly “These things are incredible and flattering. I’ve come to realize that I’m really doing something else here.” Your modesty is admirable and I didn’t understand it at first but now I think I do. Please Mike correct me if I am wrong.”
I don’t know that I’m particularly modest. I’m proud of the show so far, and as you might know, I fought to correct an early misconception that Dirty Jobs was created by someone other than me. Part of that had to do with my belief that I would be taken more seriously – later – if I was credited with developing the show. And part of it was ego. What I meant in the article was that fans of the show do not see me as a host. They see me as an actual person with a point of view. Big difference, especially for guy who’d been freelancing as a host for over a decade. When you realize that people are listening to you as a real person, it means you can’t hide behind someone else’s agenda. That changes things like basic accountability, for better and worse.
“The message as I see it is that we are all connected by simple need for each other and cooperation. (Civilized) However civilized people may think we are, too many turn their back on how it all works.”
True that.
“I believe that you are one of the few who are helping with the shift that is needed to occur with our country and the rest of the world as a whole. Thank you.”
You’re welcome. It wasn’t part of the plan, so I can’t take the credit you offer. But I’m happy to help steer the conversation in that direction, and grateful for the opportunity.
My question is…
“How do you keep your ego out of it? Or do you?”
Be the apprentice. Always. Share your failure. Laugh at your shortcomings. Whenever possible, don’t cheat.
“You always seem to be humble, gracious while answering the same questions over and over.”
I’d be a fool not to seem that way. You’re the boss.
“You give as much attention as you can to us, the show, the media and hundred thousand other seeds you’ve planted.”
Not much point in planting something if you can’t tend to it.
“Several threads question some of your complex and verbose posts. Why do you do that? To challenge us, to educate us or to show that you are smarter than a p00per scooper-)”
Complexity and verbosity are in the eye of the reader. I don’t accept the characterization.
“On top of this you’ve managed to keep a big part of your life private (at least the fans here respect that request.)”
Really? What about my life is private?
“Are there two of you?”
Not really. My close friends often call after a show to talk about a phrase or reaction that they have seen from me many times over the years. It amuses them. I make no attempt to appear as something other than who I am. That’s not to say I haven’t changed a little, here and there.
“Do you feel that you have brought your message to fruition?”
No. Not even close. But I hope to change that soon.
“Is there more to it, sort of like a “To Be Continued” to keep your audience?”
Yep.
Mike