Blog Post 7

 Diffusion of Innovations

The article stated that the Diffusion Theory is "the theory that seeks to explain how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread". While reading the Diffusion theory article, I found that there were five key elements in diffusion research: innovation, adopters, communication channels, time, social system. These elements have all lead to new innovations becoming what they are today. An example of a present innovation is the iPhone.

 

The iPhone is the most used smartphone in the world. At first it was not that popular but as the years have gone on it is the most notable and popular smartphone on the market. It brought so many new innovations to the table, like the first phone to have an all screen display. It also implemented the use of Apps, which is now something majority of smartphone users cannot live without. The first adopters were the individuals. Younger people who could understand, learn, and adapt to this new form of technology. Majority of younger people adopted this new innovation because it was something personable and easy to use and communicate with others. Majority of people who are late adopters, or some who never adopt, are the older generations. Majority of them have lived their whole life without having a smartphone, so why change things and have to learn something completely brand new when they have been fine without it. 

However, while the iPhone has been an excellent help to the everyday person and an amazing stride in modern technology, it does have its downsides. Nowadays everyone is completely addicted and cannot live without their smartphone. Majority of people these days can not seem to put their phones down. We have also become so dependent on our phones because, essentially, our entire lives are on the device. The way we have become so addicted to having a smartphone and made us be so codependent on them that we struggle and freak out when we do not have it. However, I do believe that the positives out weigh the negatives. It is the best resource of communication and has helped many people throughout the years.