At MSPGeekCon 2025, Eddie Chow, Training and Enablement Manager at Rewst, delivered a thought-provoking keynote titled "State of the Universe: How Did We Get Here?" This session wove together personal storytelling, industry insights, and a deep exploration of the forces that shape our collective journey.
Eddie began with a striking image: the famous "Pale Blue Dot" photo taken by Voyager 1 from 4 billion miles away. That tiny speck, Earth, served as a humbling reminder of our place in the vast universe. From there, he posed a central question: How did we get here? To answer it, he invited the audience on a journey through three interconnected universes: his own, theirs, and the broader MSP ecosystem.
Eddie shared his upbringing as the son of a single mother, navigating generational, cultural, and language barriers. One story stood out, the "chicken wing moment." His mother, raised in poverty, once told him she knew she was loved because her own mother gave her the best part of the chicken, the wing. This simple act became a recurring symbol in Eddie’s life, a "cosmic chicken wing" representing love, sacrifice, and the hidden meanings in everyday gestures.
He encouraged the audience to reflect on their own lives: What are your cosmic chicken wings? For many in tech, he suggested, it might be their first computer, a childhood video game, or an innate curiosity to dismantle and understand how things work. These symbols, he argued, point to deeper truths about who we are.
Eddie challenged attendees to identify the patterns in their own journeys. Just as Pokémon players develop nostalgia for their first starter Pokémon, or tinkerers recall the thrill of taking apart electronics, these experiences shape our paths. But recognizing symbols isn’t enough. We must ask: What do they mean? What truths do they reveal about our values, motivations, and the way we engage with the world?
Transitioning to the MSP industry, Eddie proposed that love, defined as "willing the good of another," has been the driving force behind its evolution. He traced key moments:
The shift from break-fix to MSP reflected a growing desire to create win-win scenarios, a form of love for both clients and the community.
In the face of cybersecurity challenges like ransomware, the industry’s response, rallying to help affected peers, showed love in action, echoing Mr. Rogers’ wisdom to "look for the helpers."
Discussing mergers and acquisitions, Eddie cautioned against self-serving love, such as greed or pride, and celebrated the life-giving love that fosters collaboration and mutual growth.
Eddie closed with three guiding questions for the audience:
If love is how we got here, he argued, then it’s also how we’ll move forward, by knowing what is good, willing that good for others, and shaping our universes with intention.
Eddie’s keynote was a masterclass in connecting the personal with the universal. By reflecting on our own stories, we can better understand the forces that drive our industry and ourselves. His message was clear: Whether through a cosmic chicken wing, a childhood computer, or a commitment to serving others, the choices we make ripple outward, shaping not just our paths but the entire ecosystem around us.
What’s your cosmic chicken wing? The answer might just redefine how you see your journey and where you’re headed next.
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