If early adopters ruled, we’d all be using CB radios

Luddites have a critical role in society’s adoption of valuable technology. It’s not all about us early adopters. That from Miguehl Helft’s ‘Band of Laggards’ piece heading the business section of this morning’s New York Times.

From Paul Saffo, a technology forecaster in Silicon Valley:

Laggards have a bad rap, but they are crucial in pacing the nature of change. Innovation requires the push of early adopters and the pull of laypeople asking whether something really works. If this were a world in which early adopters got to choose, we’d all be using CB radios and quadraphonic stereos.

Don’t laugh. Dad had a CB radio in his yellow Cadillac to listen to whether he could take it to up 60 mph during Jimmy Carter’s 55 mph national speed limit. A few years before my high school debate partner, and still good friend, bought a Panasonic quad stereo (4 speakers each the size of a microwave) on which I fondly remember blasting ‘Wild Carpet Ride.’

Evangelizing blogs, RSS, and newsreaders, I run into lawyers and law firm heads questioning why blogs. What’s the need? What’s the value? Does this really work? Why do it before everyone else? Why do it the LexBlog way?

I have been too quick to label them luddites. Fact is luddites questioning my evangelism and LexBlog’s offerings is good a thing. I should be so lucky.

Reminds me that when evangelizing to think in terms of the value of blogs & RSS to those slower adopting technology. When LexBlog is developing a new solution or unwilling to change our existing ones, rather than dismiss naysayers labeling them as luddites, to listen. Their questions, comments and critique may well lead us to improved product and service offerings – offerings for which there is a large and lasting market.

I got an email from an insurance coverage lawyer last night who is pushing blogs in his large firm. I met a week ago with he and his marketing director. Looks like they’re sold, but he needs to justify the value proposition to firm management.

His management’s questioning value is a good thing. Gets me to refocus on the benefits, efficiencies, and cost savings of blogs, RSS, and newsreaders to large law firms.

Dad was obviously wrong on CB radios (I think he thought they were pretty silly anyway). Hoping he’s wrong as to his views of the Internet – he and his retired golf buddies believe the world may be a better place without it. My debate partner? He’s at Raytheon working on what we’ll put in space 20 years from now.