Embracing Innovation: Overcoming Resistance and Building a Better Future

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Hatched by Glasp

Aug 03, 2023

4 min read

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Embracing Innovation: Overcoming Resistance and Building a Better Future

Consumer products are unique. Everyone gets to have an opinion being consumers themselves. Everyone will tell you why it won’t work or what’s wrong. To succeed, it takes thoughtful conviction, being deeply attuned to often latent consumer needs, and being willing to figure out why something will work — despite all the naysayers. The good news is that the products that succeed often become huge outliers.

Another example of luddism is around job-loss. Sure, every tech revolution has destroyed old jobs (farmers have gone from 70% to 2% of our economy, for example), but every revolution has created more jobs than they destroyed. People love an idealized version of nature. They like nature without lions roaming, or nature that’s somehow replete with western medicine, a fast internet connection, and a warm bed at night to sleep in.

Fear mongering tends to be the default pattern with new technologies — they get scapegoated for society’s current problems. The fact of the matter is that people have been complaining about new communication technologies since forever. The Luddites were a 19th-century group of English textile workers who opposed new technology. As a means of protesting technological progress, they’re best known for destroying the textile machines on which they worked.

What luddites fail to realize is that humans are, in their very nature, a technological species. We build tools to make our lives easier and better. The simple fact is that how we used to live may have fit a world of 10 million people but won’t fit a world of 8 billion. Once you get technology growth going, it's pretty hard to stop it from eating the world. It’s hard to tell billions of people who want access to food and clean water and warm beds that there's no more room.

Human needs are infinite. Not only does technology create more jobs, but better ones too. We automate the boring and painful parts of the job so we get to do more meaningful work. That’s not to say we shouldn’t make it easier for people to re-skill, relocate if needed, and recover via a strong safety net. We should.

From that came a radically new way of thinking about the world, the idea that our ancestors laid the foundation we could build on top of, based on the premise that we could build better things than our ancestors in the first place. This mentality created the world we have today. We are here to build something to make our lives easier and better on top of all the legacies that ancestors left for us.

One way to move past nostalgia and embrace the future is to realize that everything about us, from the clothing we wear and the music we listen to, to the technology we use — every single thing we are and do is something that a previous generation thought was bad. Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things.

In conclusion, embracing innovation requires a shift in mindset. We must recognize that technological advancements have always been met with resistance, but they have also propelled us forward. To navigate this changing landscape, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

  • 1. Embrace the unknown: Don't let fear of the unfamiliar hold you back. Instead, view it as an opportunity for growth and progress. Be open to exploring new technologies and ideas, even if they challenge the status quo.
  • 2. Foster adaptability: The pace of technological change is rapid, and it's crucial to adapt and evolve alongside it. Invest in learning new skills, stay curious, and be willing to embrace change. This will enable you to thrive in an ever-changing world.
  • 3. Build a strong support system: As we navigate the uncertainties of the future, having a robust support network is essential. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passion for innovation and are willing to support and collaborate with you on your journey.

By embracing innovation, overcoming resistance, and building a better future, we can create a world that not only meets our current needs but also paves the way for future generations to thrive. Let's embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.

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