The Year that Didn’t Exist
By: Richel Tong
Tags: Unity, Covid, 2020, Covid 19, Technology

It’s certainly cliché to say that 2020 has been an abnormal year. This year has been abysmal for many, disastrous for most businesses, and the root cause of some real economical destruction. I personally cannot believe that 2020 is about to end in a few days, as this year has been an absolute blur. It’s a year we all want to forget, but I’ll admit, there are many positives to what has happened in the last 12 months.

Relationships grew stronger. While physical proximity of family, friends, and colleagues grew distant, the need to maintain connected and in touch became more significant than ever. There’s a reason why Zoom and Slack stocks are booming — communication has quickly evolved and the need to stay connected is at an all-time high.

We did things we’ve never done before. Or, I certainly did. We all had more time at home to focus on ourselves and develop new skills. I’ve helped build two jigsaw puzzles for the first time since my younger adolescent years, and built two Tamiya scale model cars that I’m overly proud of. My partner and I have cooked and baked recipes that we would normally never have the time (or guts) to try. It’s a real strength that human beings have — the power to learn and adapt.

Yes, this is a sourdough starter.

We brought societal issues to the foreground, and brought dark topics into the light. Black Lives Matter, the ongoing Hong Kong protests, the US Presidential Election, COVID responses from countries around the world, and many more with just as much importance. The global trend in 2020 was to be aware. Aware of surrounding political and societal climates, and aware of what we can all personally do to influence change for the better.

Downtown Vancouver Sunday as part of a protest against racism and police brutality. (Patrick Swadden, NEWS 1130 Photo)

Real character and resiliency surfaces when turmoil hits. In my post earlier this year, I wrote about the empathetic, selfless nature of Ryan, our CEO at Finger Food, and now, VP of Solutions at Unity. While my claims of Ryan certainly remain unchanged, the past 12 months have also surfaced the unwavering trust, commitment, and care of Unity as a company, with many other companies around the globe taking the same pledge. Unity has continued to grow and expand, and the bond between colleagues and teams is more galvanized than ever. I don’t say this enough — I’m truly blessed to be a part of this phenomenal team.

MARKETWATCH PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/MARKETWATCH, UNITY AND NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

The tech industry is at its all-time high. Sure, it’s no secret that it’s been booming for the past two decades, but COVID has expedited the tech space at least 3 years into the future — all in the span of 12 short months. New and existing collaboration tools are in unprecedented demand, increasing the need for companies that produce these tools to rapidly evolve and improve their products. This is almost 1:1 to Mark Zuckerberg’s and Michael Abrash’s Oculus Connect keynote in Summer 2019 of how VR can change the world’s workforce in a few years. The way we work will and already has changed. Unity’s IPO and its substantial increase in stock prices are also a great indication of how real-time 3D is capable of not only tackling gaming, but also other problems in other spaces.

2021 is about turning over a new leaf. Relationships, work, and industries have changed. Life has changed. I’m bottling up excitement for the new year and the many years beyond 2021. COVID is real, and my condolences go out to those who are affected by it. It has changed and destroyed many lives, but it has also created many opportunities for those who seek them. There’s a faint glint of light near the end of this tunnel, and it’s getting brighter as days go by. 2020 has set a precedent of how people will tackle global pandemics and issues that plague our society in the future.

I can’t wait for January 1, 2021.