Star Wars 8, The Last Jedi was my least favorite film in the series. Windows 8 was my least favorite version of Windows. Yet upon further reflection, I truly appreciate them both. Here’s why.
I’m not sure how the brain’s filing system is supposed to work but mine stores objects in semi-random buckets organized by cryptic commonalities. Because of this system, I often ponder unrelated items without even realizing it.
I’ve been doing this unconsciously (subconsciously?) with two magnificent failures: Windows 8 and Star Wars 8. Presumably, my bucket librarian filed them under THINGS THAT END WITH THE NUMBER 8 but neglected to include Ocean’s 8. I’ve pondered these two 8’s for years without even realizing it. As a result, they have become one hybrid thingy in my mind.
Both 8’s were the least popular entries in their respective series. Many folks loathed Windows 8. I recall some conjecture that the 2012 release of Windows 8 was predicted by the ancient Mayans. But today I’m fully prepared to defend them both – or at least the effort behind them.
Swing for the fences:
First and foremost, both 8’s were honest swing-for-the-fences failures. They shot for originality and greatness. It’s one thing to play it safe, do a cash grab, and fail. Far too many projects follow that path. But it takes guts to put yourself out there with something truly different – even if you go down in flames.
Beautiful:
With Windows 8, my work filled the screen without chrome. Multi-tasking was tricky but focus was easy. Windows 8 was exactly as beautiful as my work for nothing else was there.
The Last Jedi is gorgeous to watch. Many of the other (better) Star Wars contained some tacky visuals. The 125 sets and 180 practical effect creatures were amazing.
We all missed the point:
I remember visiting a beloved auntie in New Orleans for the first time in 20-something years. Within a few minutes, she told me, “Windows 8 makes me feel stupid.” Wow, whoa, that hurt. In fact, it was Windows 8’s most damming feature. It wasn’t intentional and we should have seen it coming. Inside of Microsoft, I set up a website called “Windows 8 for Robert’s Mom”. It provided visual illustrations on how to complete complex tasks that had stumped seasoned Microsofties, like “how to print PDFs” or “how to turn off your computer”.
The paradigm change was too much too fast and it left many people confused. But I think the point of Windows 8 was to:
Remove distractions and shift the focus from the operating system to your work.
Likewise, most of us missed the point of the Last Jedi. The internet echo chamber focused the discussion on director Ryan Johnon’s ego and how he subverted the traditional Star Wars paradigm. Sure, subverting expectations for the sake of subverting expectations was a part of the problem. But as a result, groupthink glommed onto the apparent key quote:
...let the past die. Kill it if you have to.
But that was NEVER the point of the film. The Last Jedi was about learning from failure. That’s how we all learn and yet no one had ever truly failed in the Star Wars universe. Should the cocky pilot who goes against orders always be right? Should every side quest automatically pay off? I love me a happy ending but after a dozen Star Wars movies I no longer worried about my heroes’ success.
In Star Wars 8, the heroes failed over and over. That was the point.
Seven wonderful Star Wars movies had been about Strength and Mastery. but hear Master Yoda summarize The Last Jedi in the real key quote:
Pass on what you have learned.
Strength. Mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also.
Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is.
Luke, we are what they grow beyond.
That is the true burden of all masters.
– Yoda
After the 8’s, Microsoft and Disney backpaddled wildly with their follow-up entries. Balance was gradually restored to the Force. Nevertheless, I learned plenty from these magnificent failures. I learned:
Change has to make sense and grow from the past.
Never forget that “…let the past die. Kill it if you have to.” was spoken by the villain. Change for the sake of change is silly. Continuity has its own peculiar beauty. I learned that making anyone feel silly is wrong.
The greatest teacher, failure is.
The Elements of Simple 