jack - Friday, April 16th, 2010
I found a pretty interesting chart (via Nick Parish) this afternoon. It breaks down (by age) the choice people would make if they had to eliminate either the Internet or TV from their life. If you look at the stats though, it clearly seems as though TV’s “days are numbered” (should people ever actually have to make such a sadistic decision) as the majority of people under 44 would choose to eliminate their TV.
As I thought through the survey I started to wonder if the main question itself isn’t a touch flawed. It’s really not about choosing between TV and the Internet, is it? It will ultimately be about choosing between the Internet and Cable/Satellite providers. Just this week I set up my Netflix account to stream video through my PS3 (if you haven’t done this yet, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s life changing). That means I’m watching content from the Internet on my big, beautiful HDTV. In essence, my TV is now the most expensive computer monitor I own. Granted, the vast majority of people aren’t doing this… yet. And maybe that’s why the survey below is relevant today, but I think in the future survey’s like this won’t be a “TV or The Internet?” question. It will be a “Internet or Cable/Satellite” question. At the end of the day, the TV is just a box that displays the content…
So, that’s enough out of me, I’d love to know what you think…
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matt - Monday, July 20th, 2009
“Ed Stafford is walking the length of the Amazon river in South America from the source to the sea. He has been walking for 472 days. He started on 2nd April 2008 and is expecting to finish in May 2010.
No one has ever done what he is attempting….”
Walking The Amazon is definitely worth some time to check out if you’re into how Technology and the Internet has effectively changed exploration of our planet. This is one of the best examples of getting real-time updates from 21st century explorers as Ed Stafford updates his travels via blog, pictures, video and other means from the Amazon. I especially like how he’s updating their latest coordinates and morale throughout the journey.
On a side note, though it’s a British reality TV series and not specific to the internet like Walking The Amazon, Long Way Round (and it’s sequel Long Way Down) is another compelling look at a unique journey around the globe. Actors Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman set out to take their motorbikes from London all the way to New York via Russia, Mongolia, etc. Fascinating to watch if only to see how alike people really are throughout the world…
matt - Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
From a report in Adweek (by Ann Mack) a few weeks back titled, “Millennials’ Age Of Anxiety”, there was some interesting information in regards to how Millennials are dealing with the current “Great Recession”. What stood out in this article is how easily this demographic group is willing to give up ‘traditional entertainment’ as the Internet and Mobile Phones are their entertainment. What isn’t a news flash is how integral both are to the lives of this younger generation. Below is the money shot from the article:
“There are two exceptions to the idea that teens and twentysomethings are willing to downgrade or give up the amenities: their Internet connections and their mobile phones. They already see these things as extensions of themselves, and the downturn is only increasing that bond. And no wonder — these media offer a wide array of content and applications at low to no cost, easily replacing paid products and services. More importantly they offer connectivity.
For today’s teens, connectivity is entertainment. What’s ditchable are traditional forms of entertainment such as football games and hitting the mall. Socializing and entertainment these days is just as likely (if not more) to take place in the digital or mobile worlds.”