Diffusion of innovations is a theory that seeks to explain how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread through cultures. Everett Rogers, a professor of communication studies, popularized the theory in his book Diffusion of Innovations; the book was first published in 1962, and is now in its fifth edition (2003).[1] Rogers argues that diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the participants in a social system.
We would need some seriously ‘out-there’ rapid diffusion of new technologies – which would probably mean they would have to be cheaper, more reliable and more easy to use than the existing kit, AND the powerful saw a way of making money out of them [or else they resist, y’see]). Ain’t. Gonna. Happen. We are toast, and the sooner we accept it and carpe the diems, the sooner, um, we carpe the diems…. ooh look! A squirrel!!!
See also early adopters, resisters, laggards etc etc
marchudson.net 