Each new generation of technology introduces new and better ways to shoot yourself in the foot.  The upside is that they also introduce new and better opportunities to be entertained by other people shooting themselves in the foot.

With emails came the careless Reply-All

With texts came auto-correct bloopers

Now Zoom has opened doors to new and better self-inflicted wounds.  This past week the Land Use Committee held  a regularly scheduled meeting via Zoom.   A few hours into it, a petitioner made his case for issuing a zoning waiver.  After the presentation each of the committee members gave their comments – some in support, some against – including counselor Laredo.   Rick Lipof the chair of the committee finished up by saying that it appeared that the petitioner didn’t have the votes.  He suggested that they vote a “hold” rather than vote it down, so that the petitioner would have an opportunity to come back at a future meeting, perhaps with updated plans.  They took the vote to hold, they appeared just about ready to move on to the next item when …

The Zoom video and audio (2:08) switched back to the petitioner who was sitting in a room saying very clearly to some one “that Laredo, what a *&%$#”.  When the video toggled back to the clearly bemused Lipof he said “well that’s a Zoom moment we’ll always have, won’t we”.

If I was the petitioner I wouldn’t be looking forward to returning before the committee next month.  For the rest of you – always remember to hit the mute button when you’re done talking.