This is the "rantnrave." Ranting about things that irk me, raving about things I love. And when I rant, as much as I try to be constructive and back it up with reasons, I make mistakes. One of those mistakes is a small part of a bigger problem I've been noticing. How a word, a name, an accusation can paint a picture of an entire life down to just one moment. A person or brand. And let's be honest, sometimes it is that simple. But most of the time it isn't. People are complex. And then there are the names. Racist. Sexist. Homophobic. Misogynist. Right wing. Left wing. Whatever the name du jour. We are quick to assassinate and pigeonhole these days before asking, thinking and learning. Damn the consequences. Cut them down as fast as we share an article we didn't read or a video we didn't watch. I'm not discussing any specific situation so that it's not loaded with opinion. This is a societal issue. Words mean something. And remember that even those that correctly or incorrectly hurl those names, they come with their own history, their own baggage. I was at lunch with friends a few weeks ago. I was retelling a story about something that happened to me in a business situation. And while telling the story related to a nemesis, I said "and that woman..." The minute it came out of my mouth I knew it. Like I could still see the words in the air. I hadn't referred to anyone else by gender. It was besides the point and actually held no value to the argument. I was mortified. And within seconds apologized to all at the table. They understood. Most knew me. And sometimes, one is so mortified, like me, that you keep apologizing and talking in a shaken state and dig your hole deeper. "I loved my Mom." Cringe. As my friend JON LOVETT (who was there) said: "Jason, just stop. I can see you sinking." Ha! Now this was sort of benign (at least to me) but if that was a public forum, my innocent misspeak could have labeled me for life. I said it. I know what I meant to say. It was unfortunate. And remember that anyone listening or accusing comes to it with their own experiences. Take that into account before you overreact or judge. And maybe sometimes they won't even offer you that benefit of the doubt. The country seems to be going mean. Angrier than ever. On my own and at REDEF, I want to be more mindful of that. Things don't get deleted. Everything is archived. You have to think before you speak. Or you'd like to. Are you one of those names because you didn't think and your action was wrong but understandable? And yet you're trying to be free, honest, open. And when you're freestyling, sometimes the words you pick are mistakes. And of course, all too often they weren’t. And if they hurt individuals or society at large they need to be called out. Part of the issue in media coverage is also the blurred lines of opinion vs. reporting and we're in a world where a journalist is next to a pundit next to a blogger next to a tweeter and they all look the same in the feed. The average reader doesn't distinguish. These are not new problems. But the speed at which they move and the damage that they can inflict are faster and more severe than ever before. I'm going to think more before I write and speak and I'm going to reflect more before I boil down a life to one moment. And yet, after all this, someone may read this and there may be name called and it will be out there for eternity. I'll try. I'll succeed and fail. These are interesting times. It's dangerous territory. I'm taking a breath. Reflecting... Where it all started... When the people who are trying to roll back rights with huge religious zealot undertones sound like those they accuse of being dangerous radicals or fundamentalists. The irony is thicker than GOLDEN GATE fog... Been watching, enjoying and learning from S.E. CUPP UNFILTERED. Don't always agree, but really respect the conservative POV in my never ending quest to hear both rational sides. Sometimes tone is everything... The HALLEY'S COMET of food shopping? When INSTACART delivers exactly what you ordered. Still sticking with it. But... Today is movie day. And ROB GOLDBERG and I will be at BLADE RUNNER 2049 midday as it's 90 degrees in LA... Humans in 1,000 years are almost unrecognizable... If you watch one thing this weekend? Watch SPIELBERG on HBO. Premieres Saturday night. This doc meant a lot to me. I'll be writing about it over the weekend... If you have hours and hours watch parts 1-4 of MOGULS & MOVIE STARS: A HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD. One of the best docs on the creation and evolution of the dream factory... Happy Birthday to MO KOYFMAN, SALAR KAMANGAR, JAY BOUCHER, JEREMY DE BONET, and FIONA HOEY.