Society is always looking the get the best “bang for their bucks”; therefore technological innovations stands at the forefront of delivering the “bang”. Shiny new technologies always make the technology you just purchased last week, dull and boring. These disruptive technologies offer new enhancements to a product while in some cases reducing the cost to attract new and existing cliental. Technology is following in the footsteps of fashion trends. In 1985 the first version of the Air Jordan shoes hit the market and sold millions. One year later the Air Jordan 2 hit the market and no mater if you had a brand new pair of the first Air Jordan shoes, you actually had the “old” Jordans. This shoe trend continued every year for over two decades, and although this example is not technology based, it is a good representation of the displacement theory in general. Play Station would be a good technological example of a disruptive technology. As this innovation enters its third conception of the gaming system, its feature functionality improves with every release of the product.
Second Life is a new concept but the technology is not at the point of reaching critical mass. This innovation lives predominantly in a “techie” world. Most techie’s are introverts; therefore they lack the ability to socialize face to face with society. To the techie population, second life would be a disruptive technology to more recent social networking technologies (i.e. Facebook and Twitter). As for the rest of society, getting accustom to non face to face interaction through social networking is now becoming a way of life. Second Life is a trend that would have to eventually grow on society instead of taking over or being considered disruptive. So in the next 10 years I would think that you would find more people interested and exploring this concept rather than it replacing an existing technology.
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Interesting viewpoint. I did not look at Second Life as a progressive technology, but I can certainly see your point. Coming to terms with the concept of emerging technologies and whether or not they are considered disruptive to all society is difficult for me. On the one hand, I can see how this technology is simply emerging for those who are unfamiliar with it. The opposing view would be that it is disruptive for those who use online chatting, because it advances the way they communicate with others. You have given me much to think about.
ReplyDeleteMarci
I think in the next ten years another disruptive technology will replace this innovative technology. The movie avatar was so innovative, that other more innovative technology will be used to out spin this type of movie. Therefore, I can foresee that Second Life will reach a critical mass within two years. As more people, especially if the 30 - 40 age group embrace this technology it will be around longer, especially in the business sector. Once the eager entrepreneurs figure out they can make money creating advertisement sites and business adventure Opportunities Second Life will meet it critical mass within two years.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about the statement above?
Marvining,
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly my point. For those that are always online and have "mastered" Web 2.0 technologies, they are ready for the next best thing in technology. The majority of society is still getting used to having these features on a basic cell phone. I think we are a long ways away from seeing second life in everyday society.
Joanne,
ReplyDeleteThe key word in your statement is if. I really do not think that second life is a technology that will consume society at a rapid pace. There will be select users of this technology as its not appealing to enough of society to call it emerged. My question to you is, in a normal business setting how would companies incorporate second life into their way of doing business?