A real time example of change, profound change, can be found in the publication media industry. As newspapers are reinventing themselves there is a good debate and nature struggle going on. A good example can be found in Malcolm Gladwell’s New Yorker piece http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2009/07/06/090706crbo_books_gladwell
In the book Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson, there is a clear articulation of what the primary argument is for the opening up of post modern business. Anderson says “In the digital realm you can try to keep Free at bay with laws and locks, but eventually the force of economic gravity will win.” My argument has been that it is natural for traditional, well established institutions to resist changes rather then embrace them as they continually, and naturally (there is that word again) try to hold on to “the same”. The same jobs, traditions, paycheck, office, power, authority, control…you get it. This is scary as hell for sure, but there are also natural economic and social laws at work.
Anderson discusses the role of journalists as things change for the industry: “There may be more of them, not fewer, as the ability to participate in journalism extends beyond the credentialed halls of traditional media. But they may be paid far less, and for many it won’t be a full time job at all. Journalism as a profession will share the stage with journalism as an avocation. Meanwhile, others may use their skills to teach and organize amateurs to do a better job covering their own communities, becoming more editor/coach than writer. If so, leveraging the Free—paying people to get other people to write for non-monetary rewards—may not be the enemy of professional journalists. Instead, it may be their salvation” (Anderson).
First, Anderson makes the case for the sociology of a business profession change. Employed journalists will transfer into journalist consultants. This is scary to journalists who are branded with that professional title. However, as the profession silos for the working journalists transforms from traditional printed and controlled information to the freedom of the Internet, they must transfer into something, and Anderson predicts that they may become “part-time” consultants and coaches. Some who embrace that will make the transformation. Gladwell discusses Anderson’s comments, but from a frame of the professional journalist who holds power and control already. Do you recognize the resistance?
This example represents the same struggle that will take place in every profession that will change. Engineers may also have to be freelancers, so to speak. CPA may become consultant. Educators may all be adjunct. Politicians may all become activists. While to the traditionalist this may seem scary, but as a consumer, a CEO or a talented professional, it looks kind of exciting.
Gladwell’s argument is: “Does he [Anderson]mean that the New York Times should be staffed by volunteers, like Meals on Wheels?”(New Yorker, 2009).
What’s wrong with Meals on Wheels? passionate people doing good things for society…
Russ