This is the Biggest Barrier Against Innovation
Get rid of the obstacle
Technology is everywhere. Change is ubiquitous. Yet, we humans don’t enjoy the stress of going through changing our set ways even if the destination is better at the other shore.
We all love our iPad, our Netflix, and our Social Media but it wasn’t always like this. Every time there is a new technological breakthrough, most people react against it, and it’s only after a few years that the new deal gets accepted.
We like living in our comfortable bubble and any change that threatens to disturb the peace and predictability of our life is frowned upon.
People rejected the internet, cellphones, smartphones, social media and now they reject cryptocurrencies and electric cars. We’ve been there before and will go there again and again.
Change
People don’t change voluntarily, they either die and let the new generations take over or are forced into it by technology.
My father refused to read a newspaper online until no paper newspapers were to be found.
The first automobiles were banned, ridiculed, and rejected by society until they were accepted as the norm.
Online shopping took decades to take off but now is almost the only thing.
Age
Young people find it easier to adapt and adopt new ways of doing things but as we age it becomes harder.
Boomers that were once the only source of innovation are now fighting back to keep old systems alive.
It’s mainly a matter of mental laziness. You don’t grow old and then get set on your ways, it’s actually the other way round.
It’s just easier to create a narrative about how good legacy systems are when in reality the only reason we use them is inertia.
Mindset
Children get educated by their elders so there is a certain amount of knowledge that goes down from generation to generation. Some of it is timeless wisdom but some are just superstition, tribal thinking, and self-preservation.
The main reason some changes take decades to be fully implemented is not technology, resources, or challenges, it is a mindset.
War is a clear example. Often societies, governments, and the status quo resist change through regulations, bureaucracy, and politics but then a war comes and all those excuses go out of the window forcing nations to be extremely efficient. During the first, and second World Wars, technological, cultural, and economic revolutions took place getting rid of the obsolete systems and replacing them with effectiveness.
Peace and stability are great but the drawback is the ever-increasing amount of regulation that brings systems to a halt.
Since we won’t be having any wars soon (hopefully) we’ll need a way to get rid of hurdles that are hindrances to progress and try to implement new systems that solve real problems for real people.
Disruption
We are at the brink of many technological breakthroughs. In the next decade or so we’ll see A.I, self-driving cars, genomics, clean energy, and crypto taking over and disrupting our way of life.
Yet most people either don’t see it coming or think we can stop it.
We can’t.
Technology is a disruptive force that takes no prisoners, you either join in or get wiped out.
Beware of your resistance trying to convince you things will remain the same this time. Denial is a dangerous trap and you should keep it in check.
Eventually, all changes tend to be for the best. After a turbulent period, an equilibrium is found and you don’t want to go backward.
We have done a lot of damage to the planet and technology is the only hope. Our best chance is to go forward.
Conclusion
Change is the only constant. Get used to it or it’ll push you aside.
The biggest obstacle to progress is often mindset. Make sure you are not stuck in legacy thinking and open your mind to new opportunities.
Don’t be the last man riding the horse and buggy in Fifth avenue. Ride an autonomous car instead.
