Jason Feifer, editor in chief at Entrepreneur Magazine, shares 6 frameworks on how people adapt to change. The discussion includes the importance of adaptability in business, understanding the true purpose of new things, mistaking the 1% for the whole, the initial skepticism towards airplanes, pushback on space and remote work, and exploring the potential of AR, VR, and the metaverse.
People's resistance to new innovations often stems from a lack of confidence in our ability to adapt to change.
Understanding the purpose and potential of new technologies allows us to leverage them effectively and find new avenues for growth.
Bridging the gap between the new and the familiar eases the adoption of new ideas and technologies.
Oversimplifying problems inhibits our ability to find comprehensive solutions to complex issues.
Deep dives
Framework 1: We fundamentally do not believe in our own adaptability
Throughout history, people have often resisted and feared new innovations due to a belief that they will disrupt the existing balance of society. This fear stems from a lack of confidence in our ability to adapt to change. For example, when the phonograph was introduced in 1877, musicians saw it as a threat, believing that recorded music would replace live performances. However, as history has shown, new innovations often open up new opportunities and ways of doing things, leading to progress and growth.
Framework 2: We don't often know what things are for
People tend to misunderstand the purpose or value of new technologies or innovations. Often, they see them as either frivolous or harmful. However, it's crucial to question and understand the potential applications and benefits of these new developments. Take the example of content creation. While traditional forms of content were mainly seen as a means of monetization, modern perspectives recognize that content is a powerful tool for building relationships with audiences. Understanding the purpose of new ideas and technologies allows us to leverage them effectively and find new avenues for growth.
Framework 3: Innovators don't always build a bridge
Innovators and creators sometimes fail to connect their innovations to something already familiar to people. This lack of bridging the gap between the new and the familiar can create resistance and misunderstandings. For instance, when the automobile was introduced, it faced strong opposition because people saw it as a replacement for the beloved horse. It was only when the auto industry reframed cars as 'better horses' rather than replacements that they gained wider acceptance. Building that bridge of familiarity eases the adoption of new ideas and technologies.
Framework 4: We mistake a 1% problem for a 100% problem
People often exaggerate the negative aspects or downsides of new technologies or innovations, mistakenly viewing minor issues as catastrophic. This tendency leads to an overreaction and fear that can hinder progress. An example of this is the moral panic around teddy bears in 1907. People believed that teddy bears would ruin society and prevent young girls from becoming mothers. However, these concerns were an exaggerated response and a misunderstanding of the actual impact that teddy bears had. It is crucial to distinguish between minor issues and the overall benefits that new developments can bring.
Framework 5: People map new technologies to existing problems
When encountering new technologies, we often associate them with existing anxieties or concerns within society rather than objectively evaluating their impact. This tendency to attribute unrelated problems to new innovations can lead to unjustified fears and resistance. For example, after the 2016 presidential election, social media platforms were blamed for Russia's interference, simplifying the complex issue of foreign interference into a simple problem of social media's influence. It is essential to accurately analyze and address the actual problems at hand to find effective solutions.
Framework 6: We oversimplify problems
Oversimplifying problems inhibits our ability to come up with meaningful solutions. This often occurs when we focus on just one aspect or cause and fail to consider the interconnected complexities of the issue. By taking a reductionist approach, we limit our understanding of the problem and hinder progress in finding comprehensive solutions. A prime example is the tendency to blame social media platforms for the spread of misinformation without considering the broader societal factors that contribute to this issue. A more nuanced analysis is necessary to identify the multiple causes and address them effectively.
The History and Impact of Russian Interference in American Elections
For the past 100 years, Russia has been utilizing various modes of communication, such as newspapers, radio, television, and social media, to exacerbate existing tensions in American culture during elections. The prominence of social media in 2016 did not mark a significant departure from their playbook, but rather highlighted the need for broader conversations and solutions beyond solely blaming social media platforms like Facebook.
The Challenges of Technology Adoption and Cultural Shifts
The podcast delves into the challenges that arise when introducing new technologies and the resistance or pushback they face. It discusses how people often simplify these problems due to their lack of understanding or historical perspective. Examples like the introduction of mirrors, cameras, and airplanes illustrate how people initially struggled to comprehend the purpose or potential uses of these technologies. It emphasizes the importance of anticipating problems, embracing change, and constantly innovating to overcome resistance and find meaningful solutions.
Well, as much as we’d all like to believe that we embrace the new… the reality is that we often resist change.
That’s why we’ve brought in someone who has studied how humans respond to and adapt to change – or sometimes how we fail to. That person is Jason Feifer – long-time editor in chief at Entrepreneur Magazine, host of two popular podcasts, and recent author of his book Build for Tomorrow.
Today, Jason shares 6 specific frameworks around the very natural human responses to change, which he’s developed through interviewing and studying some of the most influential people in the world – past and present. We also play a fun game at the end, where Jason comments on current technologies encountering pushback, and assesses where they might fit into his framework.
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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