AthaBiz

From a young age we naturally explore new vistas, but quickly learn to be faithful to that with which we have become familiar.   One of those vistas for modern society is the electronics age, which has continued to evolve over the last century challenging the sensibilities of many people and for good reason. 

There has been a mixed human reaction to these new technologies based on fear of the unknown and fascination with the potential. It may remind one of snow skiing or another loved diversion.  Although one may love to ski, and enthusiastically take every opportunity to do so, the number of times they have had the opportunity to pursue that love have been limited. 

Thus, when those few opportunities do emerge the heart is willing, but there is an uncertainty that compels one to sit down when he or she too quickly succeeds in speeding down a snowy slope.  Thus, it is with many people as they attempt to embrace and understand the vast amount of new electronic gadgetry and devices that have become available over the last century.   

We need only look at electronic advances even in the last five years to see that digital electronics have evolved at warp speed affecting the industries of medicine, computers, television, audio and video digital media technology.   Those willing to successfully adapt to new technology may find themselves victim to ruts in the momentum of commerce that perpetuate profits upon miniscule technological advances while suppressing needed evolution in electronic technology.  

The Transforming Vacuum of Commerce–Ready or Not  

Whether we are buying a digital camera or a cell phone, there are many new terms and nuances to learn.  For many this is exciting, but highly stressful.  The fact is that the learning curve often becomes bogged down with ongoing changes that threaten cultural norms and customs.  People have traditionally needed time to assimilate and understand what they have created and where it is taking them as individuals and as a civilization before moving on to something new. 

Fortunately, the time it takes people to accept a technology where it is allowed on the market by the vacuum of commerce is usually balanced by the time it takes to advance a technology to the point that the mainstream market can effectively use it and afford it.  Such is the case of the digital camera and related digital media technology. 

Five years ago 99% of the nation would never have dreamed of getting a digital camera, holding steadfast to their allegiance to film camera technology that has existed for nearly a century.   The mega pixel debates roared over the ongoing advances in digital technology and as the dust settles on this debate we find that over 75% of new camera purchasers buy digital cameras.  With the dramatic increase in this new technology people are taking a lot more photographs because it is so simple and inexpensive to take digital photographs and archive them.  

Living in the 21st Century 

Within the last half century one of the legacies of American culture has been to allow everyone of every age to live their lives to the fullest extent.  Grandmothers are having children, and new cosmetics allow an aging population to remain active and youthfully attractive far longer than their own parents and grandparents.   While we have taken on the cosmetic appearance there has been less effort to assist people in fully living their lives in the 21st Century.  Strategically weaving old and new technologies to benefit humanity eases the resistance to technological advances. 

Since the discovery of the wheel in the Stone Age, humanity has embraced evolutionary technology.   Historically, cultural resistance has suppressed new ideas and technologies.  Much of that is based solely on the fear of giving up control. 

Consumer education regarding the new digital media technologies available on the market will play an important role to assure the mass consumer market understands these new opportunities and how they may best serve their existence in the 21^st Century.  This education will be essential to an even wider adoption of digital cameras and will assist users in better adapting and more effectively using the new technology.