This post is about technology. And change. Progress.  The photo is  appropriate. It is taken in a paper mill built over 75 years ago, that until recently had been constantly tweaked with Yankee Ingenuity  to make state of the art paper. The mill was shut down last year.

Every once in a while I get on a rant about how "If I were King..." I would declare a moratorium on new things. Everything (ok, except medical for critical care). Back in the day, I would buy a camera and it would last forever if I treated it with respect. A good bicycle would last similarly. So would that Sunbeam Blender in the kitchen. Ok, maybe the plug would need to be replaced every 20 years.

Now we get new cell phones every year. Why? Because the new one does this and that. Oh, and we no longer support that communication protocol.  We need new computers to handle the new software for the new cameras for the cleaner images or better auto focus. We need new cars to replace the old cars. Why? They have more safety features to protect us from the now inevitable accidents caused by us trying to use the new GPS or iPhone or computer controlled coffee maker in the dash while traveling at 80+mph. Oh, and this new model Corolla will get  - are you ready for this - 35 miles per gallon!!! What progress!!! [My Dad’s ’75 Toyota Corolla got 42mpg. Really.] But my rant may digress…

Forced obsolescence.  

That’s what I really wanted to carry on about today. Forced Obsolescence. The industrial designers call it “Planned Obsolescence”. It’s much more passive that way.

But, alas, as I was planning to rant about that - and I have been sporadically ranting on the subject to anyone who will at least pretend to listen - for a few weeks at least, I now have changed my mind. Why fight what you can not change? So, instead I will embrace it. I admit I love gadgets as much as the next 4 guys combined. It is the cost of the gadgets that has me going ape shit. So - I now will simply find ways to create the income that will allow the required gadgets to enter my life. Paid for.

Things come together in strange ways in this life. We all have strange stories to share I am sure. I know I have more than my share. So as I was preparing to go ranting about forced obsolescence, I have been presented with many clues as to the true direction I need to go… The last step arrived today in the form of a newsletter from an old friend Ian Summers, creative consultant extraordinaire. It should end up on his blog soon. http://heartstormingnews.blogspot.com/  

The subject: Diversifying is an early 21st C. Imperative. Yup. I have a REALLY talented wife. She has such an amazing sense of timing and storytelling in motion pictures, it amazes me. She also has the ability to get folks to relax on camera incredibly well. The days of just being a talented still photographer are numbered. See this new Casio camera - it says it all: http://exilim.casio.com/ Look at the EX-F1. In 3 months Canon will probably announce one just like it but at a Pro level.

So… I need to go now, and you should stop wasting your time reading my ramblings and get back to work/family/life. But meanwhile, know that great new exciting things are in the works for KBPHOTO, WONDERDOGFILMS, and those we choose to surround ourselves with…

As Ian has said for years: GROW OR DIE!!!!!

I am off to grow now. Bye.