Why are our fellow citizens so slow in adopting new technology?

[me_inside]

A Best Buy Magnolia worker and myself had this discussion the other day. You go to Europe and Asia and people (most) adopt a new technology in 18 months or less. Here in America it can take YEARS for even something that only costs a few hundred bucks to take mold in America. Why is that? It always seems that people in this country was seem to have plenty of cash for cars, procreation, home remodels, eating out, new clothes every other week (ladies I'm pointing at you), etc etc etc. However when it comes to gadgets most people in America act like their "poor" and can't afford it!!!! bULL!!!

I think the Best Buy employee properly put it best in that the average, middle-income American (60-70% of the population) just wants a decent picture (SDTV Sony Wega or equal) and a cheap, reliable video source ($100 upscale DVD) and that is why HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, HDTVs take so long to penetrate America!!!

I wonder how many Americans would still be watching new movies on VHS if the movies studios never phased them out? DVD will probably have failed. Most Americans DON'T UPGRADE UNLESS THEY HAVE TOO!!!!!

What do you guys think? (Sorry for the long rant!!!)

[Blu-Light]

Because generally the American public are stupid.

[pedigree]

people dont like change and especially when it means they have to abandon and eventually make obsolete something they already have. it happened with the convert from vhs to dvd. it took years before dvd became mainstream. no one wanted to abandon their entire collection of vhs and spend more money to get the dvd. it comes down to what lightens your wallet

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by me_inside

A Best Buy Magnolia worker and myself had this discussion the other day. You go to Europe and Asia and people (most) adopt a new technology in 18 months or less. Here in America it can take YEARS for even something that only costs a few hundred bucks to take mold in America. Why is that? It always seems that people in this country was seem to have plenty of cash for cars, procreation, home remodels, eating out, new clothes every other week (ladies I'm pointing at you), etc etc etc. However when it comes to gadgets most people in America act like their "poor" and can't afford it!!!! bULL!!!

I think the Best Buy employee properly put it best in that the average, middle-income American (60-70% of the population) just wants a decent picture (SDTV Sony Wega or equal) and a cheap, reliable video source ($100 upscale DVD) and that is why HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, HDTVs take so long to penetrate America!!!

I wonder how many Americans would still be watching new movies on VHS if the movies studios never phased them out? DVD will probably have failed. Most Americans DON'T UPGRADE UNLESS THEY HAVE TOO!!!!!

What do you guys think? (Sorry for the long rant!!!)

Did you say "eating out"? That sounds a little ambiguous.

[pedigree]

Originally Posted by Blu-Light

Because generally the American public are stupid.

thats a stupid reply btw

[Blubaru]

Isn’t Europe slow to adopt HDTV?

[evo_dadi]

lol its so true with adaptation of technology here in the good ole US of A,i think they need to start advertising more at fast food places,dealerships,and sidewalks

[gvortex7]

people don't like change and especially when it means they have to abandon and eventually make obsolete something they already have

That sums it up pretty good.

[me_inside]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

Did you say "eating out"? That sounds a little ambiguous.

LOL.... thats what I get for not proof-reading!!!

[quetzalcoatl]

There is no real way to discuss this topic without going into politics both in the states and abroad. So sorry will not answer this without a flame proof keyboard and monitor to protect me. Not to mention on any board like this politics will get you into trouble faster than anyting else.

[neckedness]

Americans are more into themselves, their image, their body...they workout everyday, eat out too much, then exercise, they spend thousands on breast implants, botox, Thousand dollar handbags, blablabla. , They rather spend on their body then on electronics. They're not too geeky.

[docjan_uk]

You say that but Blu-ray penetration in Europe and indeed the rest of the world is quite a bit lower than the US.

It all depends, computers, mobile phones, cars etc etc... different parts of the world adopt these different technologies at different rates.

[BadAss]

If only the American swapped Burgers for Blu-rays, HDM would be an overnight success.

[pedigree]

like whats up with the anti-american sentiment lol? im not even from the us and its weird for me

[me_inside]

Originally Posted by BadAss

If only the American swapped Burgers for Blu-rays, HDM would be an overnight success.

So true!!!!!!!

[me_inside]

Originally Posted by pedigree

like whats up with the anti-american sentiment lol? im not even from the us and its weird for me

No its not anti-American. Its just always make me wonder why does my fellow Americans always seem to have money for everything yet complain when a new video format shows up every decade or so!!!!!

[evo_dadi]

Originally Posted by pedigree

like whats up with the anti-american sentiment lol? im not even from the us and its weird for me

i dont think its anti-american,its just a majority of people are stubborn

"why fix when its not broke"

"dude im not fixing,im upgrading!!!!"

[Kristin Simard]

As the American dollar on the international market shows, the American economy is not as strong as it was in the 90's. People are more cautious about "unnecessary" expenses, especially when they are relatively large purchases. It'll just take a little more time in that case.

[pedigree]

Originally Posted by evo_dadi

i dont think its anti-american,its just a majority of people are stubborn

"why fix when its not broke"

"dude im not fixing,im upgrading!!!!"

yeah but its not only in this thread but everywhere... i hear it a lot here in canada.. all this ooh americans with their fast food and george bush this and that... its just stupid because most of these people don't know the first thing about why people act they way they do and go on false judgements and stereotypes

[Knight-Errant]

I think the US is farther along with HDTV than here in the UK lol