Technology Blind Spots

My glee over my new Android phone is a great example of today's topic — technological blind spots.

Some background. In my twenties, I was the electronics buyer for the 9th largest retailer in the country. It was my job to be the ultimate gearhead in the corporation, to know every product trend, to analyze product features and marketing potential, predict consumer likes and dislikes, invest/gamble millions of dollars in inventory, and to train our multi-state, multi-store sales staff on the ins and outs of every piece of new electronic gear we offered to the public. I was the go-to guy when it came to technology and I loved it. I knew every corner of the consumer electronics industry and there wasn't a product I couldn't explain and demonstrate with aplomb.

So, even to this day, it bruises my ego to admit when there is a subset of technology of which I have been simply unaware. Worse, that gazillions of consumers have already embraced with enthusiasm something of which I am totally ignorant — smart phones being the example du jour. This illustrates one of the great anomalies of our time. Here we are in the age of incredible technological-based communication, yet it's common for any individual to have a complete gap in their consciousness about a branch of technology that has escaped them. We simply cannot keep up with it all.

My brother and my best friend are both blind to the world of MP3 players. They've no idea what they are or why they would need them. My wife is yet to spend a single moment looking at my iPad. I've given both of my daughters digital recorders to capture the voices of their growing children and they have not used them. Another friend does not have nor see the value in a cell phone. They are not Luddites who shun the advances of technology. My brother knows all about the latest power tools; my best friend loves his iPad 2; my wife is also my publishing partner and knows her way around all kinds of computer software; my daughters are Skype-savvy, texting-savvy, Bluetooth fans; my cell-less friend is an accomplished digital photographer. They are not technophobes, but merely selectively engaged. Me, too.

We have each in our own ways both embraced and ignored technology in amazing fits of fandom and complete ignorance. I find this fascinating. When I was in China a couple of years ago, one of my fellow travellers spent his time absorbed in his new iPhone, repeatedly thrilled to discover some new app and showing me what it could do. "Brooks, look at this neat digital compass," he'd quip with enthusiasm. I'd point to the passing scenes outside our tour bus and reply, "Look outside, man" I said, "There's China!" I chose to ignore; he chose to embrace.

Having just discovered smart phones for myself, I am more understanding of his enthusiasm. A couple of years ago for me, it was the world of GPS direction finders. Before that, netbooks. Before that, portable MP3 players. I still have no idea what a Wii is nor why I would want one. Blue-ray, HDTV, Social Media — this list of my blind spots goes on and on. On the other hand, I can tell you a great deal about minidiscs and temperature-compensating darkroom timers.

Comments

[Paul Giguere]

Hi Brooks,

There is a theory that helps explain the adoption of technological innovation called The Diffusion of Innovations Theory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations

I particularly like the adopter categories:

- Innovators
- Early Adopters
- Early Majority
- Late Majority
- Laggards

Best,

Paul

[Glenn C. Riffey]

Brooks, I can understand what you mean and I'm one of whom you speak. My cell phone is five years old. My DSLR is a Nikon D50, still love it. My computer is one that came out when Windows XP was first offered. The only thing new that I have is Photoshop Elements_9.

I'm the I.T. manager where I work and I know the value of good equipment. I only buy what is needed when it is needed and not because it is something new. That's just the way that I am... :-)