Technology…. is a
queer thing. It brings you great
gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other. ~ Carrie
Snow
#Increasing Returns; #Red Queens; #McLuhan’s Tetrad; #DVDs;
#Streaming; #Digital movies
Before this assignment, I never looked at the competitive
side to technology. I rely on
technological innovations to complete many tasks from navigation to getting my
school assignments done.
However, technology is constantly evolving and different factors such as
money and time to develop a technology impact an innovation’s success. Furthermore, worldwide acceptance of a
technology is influenced by when and how it is released. For example, maybe society does not
understand a technology and is not ready for it yet like Google
Glass.
I believe that DVDs and streaming are increasing
returns. Increasing returns are
when one technology keeps getting better, streaming, and the other technology
does not, DVD (Laureate Education, 2014a). DVDs are antiquated and not evolving even though they are
sold everywhere for purchase and to rent.
There is no doubt that DVDs are convenient for people to watch their
favorite movies or shows especially if they already own it. Also, DVDs are inexpensive, and the
Internet is not needed to watch a video.
On the other hand, streaming allows people to watch a video instantly
on any device. Also, streaming is
green because videos do not require storage space on a bookcase or shelf. Moreover, streaming capabilities
continue to advance as free wireless services become common everywhere.
DVDs and streaming are not red queens because DVDs are not
advancing (Laureate Education, 2014c).
There has been Blue Ray development; however, DVDs stay the same. People can rent recent videos and games
from a Red Box, and Red Boxes are everywhere. Furthermore, places such as Walmart and Target offer
inexpensive DVDs to buy. That
said, the biggest complication with a DVD is finding the movie or show that you
want to watch. Older shows often
are difficult to find in stores or one must wait for it to arrive if you buy
from an online store. These tasks
take time. Conversely, streaming
or purchasing a digital movie gives people immediate access to the video to
give streaming the advantage over DVDs.
I recently streamed the movie Next (2007) from Amazon for a school assignment. It was easy and inexpensive to
watch the movie on my Macbook.
Next (2007) is an older movie,
so it would not be available in a Red Box, and I would need time to find it and
buy it from the store (if I could even find it). The assignment was due the next day, so I needed to watch
the movie as soon as possible.
Streaming the video from Amazon made sense to me so that I could finish
the assignment instantly.
For that reason, the instant and immediate access to videos,
I think that digital and streamed movies will eventually replace DVDs. Digital movies can be stored on any
device or alternate location to watch when a person is ready. Furthermore, it does not take up space
in the house. Rather, it is a
convenient way to watch a video when the consumer has the time to watch
it. On the other hand,
although DVDs require space and use materials, the Internet is necessary to
access a streamed show.
McLuhan's Tetrad is a way for people to look at innovations
to make predictions based on current trends and discoveries in technology
(Laureate Education, 2014b). DVDs
are becoming obsolete. People no
longer need DVDs to watch or store a video. Streaming and video on demand are the improved and often
preferred methods to watch videos.
Streaming technology allows people to watch videos anywhere on any
device. I do not know what will replace streaming technology, but it does
enhance the waiting experience of people around the world.
It is difficult to predict what will happen with DVDs in the
future. For me, it depends on the
situation whether I watch a streamed video or a movie on a DVD. I like that I can buy a DVD and take it
out to view whenever I feel like it.
Therefore, until DVDs are no longer available, I will still buy my
favorite shows and movies on DVD.
However, I will also stream videos if I feel like watching a show that I
do not own.
References:
Altman, Ian. (2015, April 28). Why Google glass failed and why Apple
watch could too. In Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ianaltman/2015/04/28/why-google-glass-failed-and-why-apple-watch-could-too/
Cage, N., Garner,
T., Goldman, G., Golightly, N., James, D., King, G….Waisbren, B. (Producers)
& Tamahori, L. (Director).
(2007). Next [Motion picture]. USA: Paramount Pictures.
Laureate
Education (Producer).
(2014a). David Thornburg: Increasing Returns [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate
Education (Producer).
(2014b). David Thornburg: McLuhan’s tetrad [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate
Education (Producer). (2014c). David
Thornburg: Red Queens [Video
file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
