I have run into a number of issues within the last couple of weeks that have reminded me of the concept of disruptive technology.
These issues include:
- DOPA – legislation proposed to require schools to block commercial networking sites
- Net neutrality – issue of whether service providers should be able to prioritize what users access (e.g., preventing dsl providers from slowing access to VOIP)
- Educational institutions concerned with built-in video capabilities of new Apple computers
What these issues have in common is a perceived threat from new capabilities of technology. Internet users may use VOIP rather than the phone because VOIP is less expensive than long distance. Kids in schools may access inappropriate web content or take pictures and use them inappropriately.
Will attempting to block these “opportunities” be productive?
- If VOIP is valued, those who access VOIP using DSL will move to cable.
- If MySpace is valued, kids will access from home.
- If generating digital images or video is valued, kids wanting to capture images will use their cell phones or home computer.
Technologies with wide appeal have a way of surviving.
