The Role of Narrative In The Adoption of Paradigm Altering Technologies
An innovative technology is usually defined by qualities such as versatility and robust design. Truly paradigm altering and trans-formative technologies inexorably carry barriers to adoption, which are corollary in amount to those aforementioned traits. Of the few things which will persuade someone to abandon utilities or tools which comprise or facilitate whatever their routine may be, chief among them is the promise of financial gain or potential to increase their standing in their respective social stratus. However, for every instance of bold conjecture precluding a journey into the unknown being undertaken it should be assumed that every course charted into discovery was propelled by voices espousing intentions of radical transformation, followed by the pursuit of none
Historically, distant lands have been either romanticized or vilified beyond the point of recognition, whether lauded or castigated by sailors lucky to stave off their scurvy by sucking their limes and survive the journey back from whence they came the narratives they brought with them certainly had impact as great as the exotic items their vessels carried. Afforded plenty of time to spin their yarns while left to ferment in the bows of ships, bound by ripe tropical heat and tides to their hammocks slung together claustrophobic and perpetually swaying for months on end. The surviving narratives were presented by those alive to tell the tales, and emphasized the fortunes to be made by exploring new lands and tended to be deaf to the catastrophic biologic realities that came about as a result of the major cultural exchanges of the previous millennia. From the cities of gold deep in the jungle to islands teeming with exotic spices and species, the unknown and foreign is often propelled into the collective consciousness by myth, more so than the truths which remain laced through the fanciful narratives which garner the attention of the masses.
As an open and inclusive infrastructure layer weaves its way into the fabric of increasingly interconnected societies, it seems likely that we would see cultural values expand and decentralize, similarly to the assets and incentive structures that ultimately underpin their creation and retention. However, in a startlingly similar manner to the culture exchanges of bygone eras, there remain elements of narrative which are considerably incongruous with what is known to be true. In a manner quite similar to its namesake, a new Silk Road played a major part in introducing the public to all that is made possible by strong encryption and a robust and resilient peer to peer monetary system. Due to these trends, it remains a matter of extreme importance that those laying the foundations and drafting the design for what will become the largest tidal shift in the exchange of culture in human history to be mindful and consider many perspectives while they carry out whatever duties they may find themselves charged with.
