Windows 8 is an interesting parallel/analogy in how we humans can dislike change. Seemingly minor things often get us out of sorts - maybe not upset, but it can confuse us. Perhaps I don't need a start menu? But my mind isn't ready to stop clicking on the lower left corner of the screen and opening whatever program is pinned to the task bar there.
Tactics of change are quite important. We often use logic like this: "It's just a small change, it's minor, why does it matter?" which isn't very empathetic, and sets us up for logic like this: "well if it's so small and minor, why can't I have it my way?" Maybe this is why the apocryphal story of Coca-Cola comes to mind. When they wanted to switch from cane sugar to corn syrup, they removed the product from the shelves completely, introducing "New Coke" only to bring back the slightly reformulated "Coca-Cola Classic" once we'd all had our taste adjusted to a different flavor. It was a major gamble to take; and in the end it paid off
At Church we often fall into the trap of the former logic. Somebody thinks the Pulpit should stay in the center of the platform, it's not a big thing why does it matter. Somebody else thinks the announcements should go in the middle of the service, it's not a big thing, why does it matter. Children in the service, Types of music, How the coffee is made, how much heat we use, whether we use a microphone... all little things, so why do they matter.
The fact is that for those affected they aren't little things - that's why downloads of "start button programs" for windows 8 are leading people to speculate that even Microsoft might bring them back (especially after firing their top man).
All this leaves me to ponder: Should I put a start button program on my computer? or should I adapt to the change?
Tactics of change are quite important. We often use logic like this: "It's just a small change, it's minor, why does it matter?" which isn't very empathetic, and sets us up for logic like this: "well if it's so small and minor, why can't I have it my way?" Maybe this is why the apocryphal story of Coca-Cola comes to mind. When they wanted to switch from cane sugar to corn syrup, they removed the product from the shelves completely, introducing "New Coke" only to bring back the slightly reformulated "Coca-Cola Classic" once we'd all had our taste adjusted to a different flavor. It was a major gamble to take; and in the end it paid off
At Church we often fall into the trap of the former logic. Somebody thinks the Pulpit should stay in the center of the platform, it's not a big thing why does it matter. Somebody else thinks the announcements should go in the middle of the service, it's not a big thing, why does it matter. Children in the service, Types of music, How the coffee is made, how much heat we use, whether we use a microphone... all little things, so why do they matter.
The fact is that for those affected they aren't little things - that's why downloads of "start button programs" for windows 8 are leading people to speculate that even Microsoft might bring them back (especially after firing their top man).
All this leaves me to ponder: Should I put a start button program on my computer? or should I adapt to the change?
It's a lot like the problem folks had to adapting to the "new" Facebook, I guess.
ReplyDeleteAdaptation simply isn't easy for everyone. You have to ask whether making the change is worth the trouble. I had a Staples store manager tell me last year it was becoming harder for him to keep up with the changes in technology. I thought, Good grief -- if he can't keep up, what hope do I have!
Some changes may be judged too much, too soon. When I bought my MacBook Pro in late May, I faced a very steep learning curve, and it's a curve on which I am still traveling. No glossary of terms, no help to the non-Apple newbie is offered, just the less than helpful promise of the alleged intuitive nature of the Mac. Phooey. It's only intuitive if you already know how to use it!
When God makes a Change, it may come with prophetic warning, but it's still hard, especially for those who aren't walking in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit works intuitively only if I am walking in His presence.
Sorry of that's a ramble!
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin
ReplyDeleteJust consider maybe, what it must be like for the person who discovers that people around, have been false and one can no longer believe in that same god they proclaim? Imagine what its like to find out as a consequence, that one cannot even believe in the god of one's youth?
Imagine what its like to find that there are about 2700 such mythological deities recorded in history and each person's god is different, cherry picked from a menu of "sacred" texts?
Imagine discovering, that all of what we know and understand could have come from absolutely nothing. absolutely nothing
Imagine having to adapt to that change? It makes Windows 8 and its foibles as with moving that lectern, pretty insignificant, doesn't it?
P.S. Its worth a read. A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing
ReplyDeleteIts official, Pat Robinson has finally burst the "Young Earther's" bubble. Its important to teach children the truth and the scientific method based on empirical evidence, is to be respected. Here the video report from MSNBC
ReplyDeleteMaybe he finally read the late Carl Sagan's last book, "The Demon-haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark" ?