The Only Constant

It’s no surprise that technology changes and evolves rapidly. And that every day, the evolution seems to accelerate. If you’re not super comfortable with taking on new technology and apps, the never-ending updates and interface changes are likely part of what is making you feel put off. How do we manage?

First, we must accept the state of things. Software is on an exponentially accelerating path of change and improvement. We used to buy software, learn it, grow comfortable with it, and only ever see significant updates when it was time to buy the next iteration, a year later or more. We didn’t have monthly subscriptions, we paid for something and “owned” it. We bought a new version when it was time (like when we bought a new computer).

Now, software updates happen daily. Interface changes magically appear on our screens, sometimes accompanied by a heads-up message like, “we’ve got a new look!” if we’re lucky. We’ve updated our font. Here’s a new button. Menu options have changed. Often changes come relatively unannounced.

Deep breath.

After we’ve accepted that this is the way of the future, we have to work towards getting comfortable with it. Desensitize ourselves a bit to the trauma of change. New font? I liked the old one better but I’ll get over it. New button? Let’s click it, see what it does. Menu options changed? It’s gonna take me 7 times to remember where the new share option is, but I guess I understand why they moved it here. It’s okay if acceptance is a bit begrudging at first.

Sometimes the changes aren’t better. That’s ok. In today’s evolving-technology landscape, you can remember that old adage about the weather and modify it: don’t like the technology? Wait a few minutes, it will change.