100 Central Florida

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

To read responses from more Central Florida 100 participants, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/cf100

TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

WE ARE THE METAVERSE, Carlos Carbonell, CEO/Founder Echo: Apps & Augmented Reality: Orlando is now the center of the metaverse. The Orlando region has proclaimed itself the MetaCenter, the intersection of digital and physical innovation that powers the metaverse. The metaverse, for those of you who may be wondering, is not only virtual worlds or the technology used to create them, but the advent of a new economy. One that leverages technology built right in Central Florida to allow people to interact, learn, be entertained, as well as create, buy and sell digital goods. The declaration by both Orlando and Orange County mayors, Orlando Economic Partnership, and Visit Orlando, marks a stake in the ground as a metaverse region.

UNDELIVERED, Earl Crittenden Jr., chair, OnePulse Foundation: The sickening, conspiracy-driven Buffalo mass shooting proves politics in America remains steadfastly rudderless on preventing mass shootings. A prescient new book, “Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches that Would Have Rewritten History,” offers timely, fascinating case studies in leadership — what would have happened if…? Imagine the historical impact Helen Keller could have had if she had given her women’s suffrage speech that was stopped by male rioters? What if JFK could have delivered the speech he was to give in Dallas the day he was gunned down in the motorcade — one that warned of the dangers of disinformation and conspiracies? These unearthed documents should spur current leaders into action.

MAGIC No. 1,

David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida: Congratulations to the Orlando Magic for breaking a two-decade dry spell and landing the first pick overall in this year’s NBA Draft. Now it’s time for the armchair coaches to enter the fray and argue over exactly who the Magic should pick. Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr., is the favorite of many prognosticators, but Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are also in the running. All three have just completed their freshman year of college eligibility, which means their already outstanding talents should only improve.

SOCIAL MEDIA DANGER, David Leavitt, former Seminole County Libertarian Party chairman, CEO of Refresh Computers:

I used to feel confident that social media was going to be a great platform for free people all over the world. I could not have been more wrong. The last decade has shown how social media could help adversely alter entire governments. Many people would add the United States to that list. Less than two years ago the fear of social media backlash was used to keep businesses closed during COVID — and used by our local officials to promote Orwellian mandates. All of this with a subscriber base Elon Musk claims could be up to 25% robots.

STARLINER UP, Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida: Boeing successfully launched its uncrewed Starliner capsule Thursday on a mission to the International Space Station. NASA became dependent on Russia to send astronauts to the ISS after retiring the Space Shuttle program. NASA awarded contracts to launch astronauts into space to two companies, SpaceX and Boeing. SpaceX has been successful, but Boeing had many embarrassing delays and setbacks with its Starliner program. NASA wants to return human launch capability to the U.S., and it wants Boeing ready in case something ever happens to SpaceX. Boeing will begin sending humans to the ISS this fall.

MUSIC OF THE MOMENT,

Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: As the Orlando Philharmonic recently closed its successful season in Steinmetz Hall, we felt the power of live music. It gave us a sense of community and also being part of a global family. Ukraine benefited from funds raised that evening. Tops Grocery Store and a Taiwanese church were on our minds. The last number deeply touched our hearts. Along with the Philharmonic, the jazz group, the John Pizzarelli Trio, played softly the poignant song from the Broadway show, “South Pacific.” It ended with, “To hate all the people your relatives hate, You’ve got to be carefully taught!”

SOCIAL MEDIA HOTBEDS OF HATE,

Sheena Rolle, senior director of strategy, Florida Rising: If a riot is the language of the unheard, then terrorism is their political warfare. We cannot afford to act as if the Buffalo massacre is an isolated incident, or a lone-wolf scenario. This domestic terrorist was emboldened by coordinated communities of white nationalists using social media to organize. This phenomenon is not new. These social-media hotbeds of hate activate the Payton Gendrons and Dylann Roofs of the world, as well as the mass of insurrectionists that sought to disrupt American democracy on Jan. 6, 2021. Yesterday’s Klan rallies are today’s chat rooms, but the results are strikingly similar. These attacks are acts of war, trying to force us back into the past.

TOO MUCH TRAGEDY,

Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: With news overflowing about mass shootings, we ask: Why not reasonable gun laws? The U.S. leads the world in mass shootings despite having only 4.23% of the global population. We are home to 31% of the world’s mass shooters. Statista reports nearly 30% of United States mass shootings between 1982 and April 2021 involved illegally obtained guns or that had indeterminate origins. Pushing for “constitutional carry” of guns without a state permit, Gov. Ron DeSantis seems intent on open carry, instigating fear and more violence, and endangering tourism.