“Everyone is talking about it.” “All the people in our office use it.” “Soon, every employer will require it.” “It’s industry-standard!”
When we are among the people not talking about it, not using it, never intending to start, and remaining non-standard, we can feel a bit isolated. But most of these claims are made without supporting evidence. All-inclusive statements can be pretty hard to prove.
People who try to convince others they are “unusual” or “out of step” often just reveal their own insecurities.
Trends “sweeping the nation” don’t sweep up everyone. In fact, a quick web search may reveal others racing full-speed in the opposite direction. This is not to say the contrarians are right, but they do exist.
Using or doing or thinking something a little less common is – most definitely – quite common. We live in a world of individuals who choose for themselves.
I just watched an editorial program that described one new technology as “a runaway freight train.” Saying anyone “not on board” would be “run over.” Ignore the fact freight trains don’t carry passengers and focus on the “run over” portion. What are they trying to tell us? Embrace it or be destroyed? Balderdash.
I know people who don’t own cars but still live productive lives. Celebrities, well-known for not using smart phones, make blockbuster films. And photographers advertise their use of vintage film cameras to earn enormous commissions!
We should make technology decisions that are best for us, ignoring the “everyone’s doing it” crowd. Their attempts to make us feel alone must not succeed.
And if we are among those who seek to isolate non-conformists ourselves, we should try something different. Talk about merit and usefulness and value and effectiveness. Admit there are drawbacks, mention potential trade-offs, and acknowledge alternatives.
Doing something different “just for the sake of it” is a bad idea. But some of us may be doing something different on purpose. With knowledge. Understanding what it means.