Dear Readers,
Just going by my birth year, I would probably be classified as a “millennial” or “Generation Y,” but a key in those classifications is having a love for new technology – and that ain’t me. My technology adoption habits would probably put me more in line with the baby boomers or whatever we call the generation that rode around in horse-drawn carriages and churned butter. OK, maybe that’s a stretch, but my point is I’m always resistant to “the new thing.”
Some background: I have an original Nintendo plugged in, in my living room (it doesn’t work really, but it’s still there). I drive a ’92 Oldsmobile. I still have a small collection of VHS tapes. And I’ve certainly never used an “app” in my life.
I remember in high school everyone started chatting on different instant messaging programs on their computers; I ranted about how dumb that was. I remember when people I knew started carrying their cell phones everywhere; I ranted about how dumb that was. I remember when those same people started text messaging; I ranted about how dumb that was. Anyway, you get the point. This cycle of adoption followed by rants held true for personal email, Facebook, Twitter, e-readers and probably a bunch of other new-fangled gizmos. I’m still maintaining my current rant against getting a smart phone. Why add that data plan expense to my life? It’s unnecessary.
The final phase of this cycle, of course, is when I finally cave in on “the new thing” and then start preaching its virtues: You know, Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with people I wouldn’t otherwise; I’ll tell ya, I’d much rather text than talk on the phone; Twitter is just about the only site I use on the Internet; reading at night is sooo much easier with my e-reader. And I’m 100 percent confident I will be saying something similar about this great app I just found on my future smart phone.
There are probably a few veteran title people reading this right now who take similar stances against the newest thing. Unfortunately, history seems to show that we can’t stop progress -- and really, why would we want to stop it? Take it from me, today’s rant against the newest thing usually becomes tomorrow’s punch line – especially when it comes to communications. Rejecting new communication platforms in 2012 is probably as silly as someone rejecting bronze in the Bronze Age.
That’s what our three-part series “Communication innovation” highlights, starting today: a few of the latest trends and attempts in the title industry to improve communication through better technology. I’m sure someone probably wrote this feature before me, while I ranted about it, but here is my version now. And I don’t want the conversation to end here. Let me know about some new tech/communication initiatives you are working on and let’s get ahead of the curve this time. What do you say?
Until next time,
Chris Crowell
[email protected]