How I Conquered Disruptive Technology In The 1990s

This brought back a lot of memories.

A week or so ago, I came across this tweet…

This hit home because I realized I had been through something like this myself.

Back in the 1990s through 2010s, I was a draftsman.

I learned to design mechanical parts and assemblies using mechanical pencils, compasses, T-squares, protractors, electric erasers, etc.

Very hands-on, crafty & creative way to create.

I LOVED IT.

But along came computer-aided design (CAD) software like AutoCAD in 2D & eventually 3D software like Solidworks.

The physical, crafty part was gone.

No more standing & using my limbs.

Now I was moving a mouse using just one hand & staring at a computer screen all day (for almost 17 years).

But here's the thing...

I am happy to report that I survived and have found MANY new ways to exercise my creativity.

I found MANY new problems to solve.

MANY new ways to create.

I learned to roll with the changes.

And now I realize that every solution creates a new problem and...

As long as there is a problem to solve, human creativity will somehow be required.

Creativity isn’t going anywhere (unless we give up).

So keep learning.

Keep being curious.

And read my post on becoming Future Proof.

Because you’ll figure it out.

Now, let’s talk music…

Music And Disruption

Keeping with the theme of disruptive technology and survival…

Even though so many people thought new technology like Napster, the iPod, and steaming was going to crush the music industry. It has done the opposite. It hasn’t stopped artists from releasing over 123,000 new songs EVERY day.

And check out this tour of Abbey Road Studios.

In case you didn’t know, some of the biggest songs and albums by the biggest artists have been recorded in Abbey Road. Albums by The Beatles and Pink Floyds, “Dark Side Of The Moon.”

The video tours leave clues to how they’ve found ways to stay relevant in an industry that has changed dramatically multiple times since they opened in 1931.

For example, despite being able to record using state-of-the-art equipment that can help them create music faster and cheaper. And despite the fact they can produce music on their laptops in their bedroom if they want, many artists still opt to record here using very old microphones and recording techniques.

It gives them an esthetic that some of the modern equipment cannot.

Our creative side keeps us relevant.

Check it out…

Have a good one,

Corey