We love novelty, but we hate change...

[Sardine]

Maybe I'm just slow on the uptake, but does anyone else feel that altogether too many people declare dislike for the alteration of the familiar, but rush to latch on to the latest "big thing" without stopping to employ some logical thinking before they do so? For example, whenever any of the major internet entities (FB, YouTube, etc.) change their layout, there is an immediate flood of comments claiming that "ur noo layout sux," regardless of whether the new format actually causes any practical inconvenience. Such blatantly expressed irritation seems more due to the fact that the author of said comment had grown accustomed to the previous layout, and was unwilling to accommodate the change. This resistance to change is a very common human trait, and can be observed every day. On its own, the desire for a more fixed and predictable state does not seem to be illogical, but that brings me to my next point.

Novelty seems to attract us like my desk lamp attracts this little brown beetle that keeps buzzing around my head. It would not surprise me to learn that the advertising tactic responsible for the most buyer response is flashing "NEW!" at them in big red and yellow letters. To return to the internet for examples of this, I'll put the spotlight on Google+. I haven't used the system myself, so I won't be critical, but it does illustrate a contradictory aspect of human nature that intrigues me. The same people who vehemently expressed the dislike of changes made to existing social networking sites are willing and even eager to learn how to use a completely different one. If this was solely due to the increased functionality or ease of use of the new system, it would seem logical that improvements made to existing sites would receive a similarly eager reception, but that is not the case. Again this instant lust for all that is new is a common and easily observable trait, but it does seem to contradict our equally strong repulsion against change.

It seems as though a great deal of strife may be prevented by thinking about why a change might have been made and what function it was intended to impart or improve, rather than immediately allowing yourself to be put off by it. Similarly, significantly less time and energy may be wasted by analyzing the pros and cons of the new and exciting before lunging at it headfirst.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if you really must jump on every stray bandwagon that crosses your path, well and good, but don't raise hell every time Facebook changes the color of the chat box.

Also, where can I find a soapbox that can support some decent weight? Those little cardboard ones the bar comes in squash so easily...

[jmattbassplaya]

I see what you're saying and I agree with your general statement, however, your example is pretty weak.

People complain about Facebook because, quite frankly, it sucks. The consumers have constantly voiced their opinions to Mr. Zuckerberg and he has continuously ignored them. Instead of giving the consumers what they want he has decided to do what he thinks is right and will immediately benefit his bottom line.

Google, on the other hand, has been wanting to get into the social media scene for awhile now, but instead of jumping in headfirst they have held off and researched the wants from MySpace, Tweeter, and Facebook users to (hopefully) create a social media site that will make the majority of people happy.

I don't see this as people being reluctant to change or merely hoping on a bandwagon. I see it as people asking for change but not getting it, and as a result they are jumping ship to a company that will seemingly give them what they want.

[fourstringdrums]

One of the problems it's a situation of "If it aint broke, fix it". Facebook especially is guilty of this. They tend to change layout and functionality all the time with no positive result. Usually they take away the most useful aspect. I have to wonder if it's done to see how loyal their fans are like a man who beats his wife just to see if she'll stick around.

[Popbumper]

Basic logical theorem at work: Latest thing = bandwagon/public interest = association and usage = money in the (company's) pocket.

NO company can exist on a product it built 10 years ago; change MUST occur for a business to thrive and prosper. Some changes DO create a positive result, some do NOT. The perception of something "sucking" or "ruling" is a powerful force that propels the masses, and ultimately, consumerism. These changes are driven to create optional ways of thinking, to excite possibilities, to invite participation.

Change can only occur if the stimulus is powerful enough to erode the "comfort foundation". If one has a great deal of comfort, and are not moved by the force of change, they either must be forced (obsolescence), or compelled.

The level at which this erosion can occur is complicated by SO many variables, including age, social status, race, and personal beliefs, to name a few - and is exceedingly hard to measure. You have to remember that change is best projected towards a specific AUDIENCE, not a particular individual. Audiences tend to "think LESS" about the "whys" than individuals do, and often, people are happier to be part of an AUDIENCE, because it establishes a comfort foundation which is very, very strong - and is easy to get swept away in.

Chris

[LiquidMidnight]

I think these are all good points. On one hand, some people will complain about change, because people just don't like change, even if it benefits them. On the other hand, change can indeed suck. The latest incarnation of MySpace truly sucks. I still don't like the last two versions of Microsoft Word. I preferred the menu bars; but now whenever I want to do something in Word, I have to go Google how to do it.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Sardine

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if you really must jump on every stray bandwagon that crosses your path, well and good, but don't raise hell every time Facebook changes the color of the chat box.

My coolness prevents me from jumping on anything new, except women.

[Popbumper]

Originally Posted by Quickie

My coolness prevents me from jumping on anything new, except women.

...and cigarettes....which for you are not new, right?

Chris

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

I still don't like the last two versions of Microsoft Word. I preferred the menu bars; but now whenever I want to do something in Word, I have to go Google how to do it.

Now, this I find surprising! When word 2007 rolled around I was a VERY happy student. Pretty much every tool you would need right in front of you, within 2 clicks. Going through the menu's of pre-2007 versions wasn't difficult but having everything laid out so efficiently definitely won me over. Plus, it was shiny . I've gotta say, I like 2007 over 2010 just because of the shininess, lol.

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by Sardine

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if you really must jump on every stray bandwagon that crosses your path, well and good, but don't raise hell every time Facebook changes the color of the chat box.

I would just like to say that you are not using a good sample as far as people not liking facebook. The only people giving feedback on the changes are the negative ones...The people with a positive attitude towards it as busy actually using facebook, and not complaining about it. So yeah, maybe you see 1000 people complaining about it, but there are millions of users not complaining about it too.

Google isn't doing anything all that new, as jmattbassplaya said, they just took what people like and put it together hoping to attract a crowd, and they are. Also, just like the people that complain about facebook changes, there are people saying "What? don't we have enough social networks?" But in my opinion, why not? Why can we spend literal years arguing Fender vs. Ibanez vs. EBMM vs. Gibson vs. Zon vs. (insert 10K more bass makers here) and then when we have two main social networks to choose from, we fall to the floor in epileptic seizures because we only wanted one to choose from?

Ultimately what you are realizing is that there will always be people who like things as well as people who don't like things.

[PSPookie]

1) brown beetles are delicious
2) novelty keeps the brain strong