Why isn’t it displaying 4k?

As both a tech geek and a film nerd, I like to stay on top of my home theater system, which I’d recently upgraded. New Roku, new gaming console, new speakers, new TV.

But no matter what I did the system would only display HD.

I tried setting after setting, I read the manuals, I watched tutorial videos, but for the life of me could not get a 4k image despite having all brand-new 4k gear.

After hours of frustration I finally discovered the problem:

The cables.

I was using the same HDMI cables I’d purchased years ago when I got my first 4k setup. And indeed, the cables still functioned perfectly. They were 4k compliant…

But 4k had evolved. New standards inspired creators, filmmakers, and streaming services to produce content that took full advantage of the latest tech.

That’s why I bought all the new equipment, after all. I was now the proud owner of shiny devices that could transmit, receive, and display the highest, most-cutting edge 4k image.

And yet, it was no use without cables that were equally up to the task. The devices hadn’t failed; the connection between them had.

The personal development and self-care industries make billions encouraging us to work on ourselves. To better ourselves. To improve ourselves. To take responsibility for ourselves. And they’re right – we should do all of those things.

But we don’t live in the world by ourselves.

We are a social species and each of us only exists in relation to others. As Getrude Matshe taught me about the African philosophy of Ubuntu, “It’s in the observation of each other that we exist.”

What good is having a strong mind if you can’t support others when they’re struggling?

What good is having a strong body if you can’t lift others when they can’t reach something for themselves?

What good is excelling at your job if your organization is failing?

What good is a new idea if you can’t get anyone to listen?

So as you work on yourself, remember to spend just as much if not more time working on your ability to communicate, to listen, and to understand.

I am because you are. And you are because I am.

Together, we can produce a 4k world… and beyond.