Blog Post #8

    Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory explains why some technologies take off while others do not. This theory breaks down the adoption process into five main groups. This includes pioneers, early adopters, the early majority, the late majority, and laggards. Looking at the first television broadcast in 1928, we can see how TV followed this pattern of adoption.

    At the start, television was groundbreaking because it solved a big communication problem, it let people see live events from far away. Before that, the radio and newspapers were the main ways to get information, but they didn’t have the same impact as seeing something happen with your own eyes. This made TV appealing to the pioneers, meaning the inventors and innovators who created the first broadcasts. They laid the groundwork for the technology, and their vision attracted the early adopters, known as the people who were quick to see the potential of television. Early adopters were excited about how TV could change the way people learned, received news, and were entertained. They embraced TV as a symbol of progress and the future.

    However, not everyone was ready to dive into this new technology. In the beginning, TV was expensive, and there weren’t many programs to watch. Plus, the economic uncertainty of the Great Depression and the looming threat of World War II made people hesitant to spend money on something seen as a luxury. This meant that many waited until after the war, when the economy improved and TVs became more affordable. This marked the move from early adopters to the early majority. During the Post-War Boom, television became a key feature of middle class American life. By this point, TV had become mainstream, influencing culture, politics, and family life.

    Even with TV’s popularity growing, some people were still slower to adopt it. The late majority consisted of people who only bought a TV when it became even more affordable or socially expected. For some, there were cultural or personal reasons for not getting a TV earlier. For example, certain religious or conservative households might have viewed TV as unnecessary or even harmful. These laggards were the last group to adopt the technology, only doing so when it became almost unavoidable.

    This same adoption pattern can be seen today with new technologies like social media. Personally, I’ve chosen not to join particular platforms. In terms of Rogers' theory, I might be considered a laggard when it comes to social media in this way. While I see the benefits, like staying connected and being up to date, I’ve weighed the downsides and decided they’re more significant for me. Privacy concerns, time consumption, and the pressure of constant engagement have kept me from adopting these platforms.

    Just like with TV, adopting new technology involves weighing the positives and negatives. For some, the benefits far outweigh the risks, while others may take their time or choose not to adopt at all. Whether it's TV or social media, everyone makes their choice based on their values, needs, and the costs and benefits they see.