The only antidote to being swallowed up by the Digital Revolution

by Alec Hogg

By far the best job of my school years was working weekends at Oom Piet Joubert’s Photography shop. Cameras were expensive, so for many the only affordable option was posing in our studio with its popular props like plastic flowers and telephones. I must have taken thousands of Black and White Postcard photos destined for loved ones.

Shops like Oom Piet’s were part of a massive worldwide industry that included chemicals, film, special paper, cameras, darkroom equipment, lenses, lights. An industry wiped out in a few years by the Digital Revolution. The Eastman Kodak company, once regarded as the highest quality of blue chips, was the best known tragedy. But it was only a fraction of the actual dislocation.

The death of old style photography is a reminder of how technology can displace seemingly secure jobs – how innovation can destroy seemingly impregnable sectors. Never before has mankind needed to be as aware of this transformation. The only antidote is lifelong learning. As Warren Buffett urges us: Read, read and when you’re tired, read some more. Or suffer the consequences.

From Biznews community member Rowena James

I truly enjoy reading your email in the morning. I felt compelled to reply to your email about technology being the death of industry that fails to keep up with the times. Having information at one’s fingertips and social media have changed us and how we make decisions. Take what we know about health. We are discovering that processed foods and excess sugar cause disease and bulging waistlines. Perhaps the one industry that could do with ignoring what labs tell them and go back to antiquated methods is the farming and food industry. Don’t you agree that some things should stay the way that God intended?

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