But why such a big change, and why now? According to www.internetworldstats.com, in 2002 there were 1.2 billion cellphone subscribers and 631 internet users. By 2010 those numbers skyrocketed: 4 billion cellphone subscribers and 1.8 billion internet users. Those statistics are little bit scary. In the past 8 years, each of those numbers more than tripled, and we are seeing those changes have their affect every day. With so many people online, less and less are relying on printed copies. I can't remember the last time I've seen a newspaper, much less read one. I've even stopped subscribing to Foodnetwork Magazine and Consumer Reports, as all the information I need is on their easy to navigate websites.
Personally, I am all for these changes, as they are severely shrinking our carbon footprint... and whether people realize it or not, this has been a big concern for a while. Not only are we killing less trees, but deforestation and the usage of fuels is severely damaging our planet, and any reduction in these activities is huge. I for one am glad that the digital revolution is growing, and I'm excited to watch the world as it changes.
great observations and so true that with the paradigm shift many once dominant andsuccessful businesses will shrink like Blockbuster or disappear completely. Interesting statistics! Well done Adam; good read and "look ma no paper!"
ReplyDeleteI agree.. this is a new era and with it comes many advantages and disadvantages, yet we should be conscious of the changes and implications that new technology brings to us and do our best to adapt, which honestly wont be so hard for our generation. Furthermore, i believe those numbers will continue to grow as new technology emerges. In today's world having internet is a must, there is no business that can't run without the help of internet.
ReplyDeleteAdam,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the advent of the internet has considerably reduced our carbon imprint on the planet. Less newspapers = less trees cut down. The massive influx in internet users between its inception and the present day is astronomical. Today’s information dissemination relies almost entirely on internet access. I too haven’t picked up a newspaper and read it let alone purchased it when the news is free for viewing on the computer. Another thing that comes to mind when I think about the internet and newspapers is this: I overheard a gentlemen say that he was out of job and was going to look in the back of the newspaper in the classified section…I quietly scoffed and thought to myself why doesn’t he just look at the Craigslist.com Job listing. This is a clear example of the move from print media to internet media. In addition, the development of Netflix significantly hurt Blockbusters sales and market share when it was created. I believe that the creation of access to streaming media is the main mitigating factor that caused Blockbuster to go bankrupt.
Adam,
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that Internet is a powerful tool. I also was expecting Blockbuster's bankruptcy for a while. Companies such as Netflix are tearing down their competitions by adjusting to changes.
What do you think about online shopping? As I've mentioned on my blog, buy.com is now selling toilet paper online! With free shipping!! That is just simply incredible. Companies such as Publix should start adjusting these new changes before they are next for bankruptcy.
Great blog with very good points. I completly agree with you on your opinion of reducing our carbon footprint. The stats you found on cellphone users and internet users from 2002 to 2010 is incredible. I guess that its easy to see that given time paper books will be a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteAs in all debates there are cons and pros. I agree with reducing the carbon footprint, great observation but I also think that new media compliments old media. For example, when TV came out, everyone through that radio was dead but on the contrary it complemented each other. When VCR came out people thought that the movie theater was going to die, but it also complemented each other. There is still room for old media as new media emerges.
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