'Adapt to new technology or die,' Murdoch tells newspapers - Yahoo! News
"Societies or companies that expect a glorious past to shield them from the forces of change driven by advancing technology will fail and fall," he said in a speech to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers.
"That applies as much to my own, the media industry, as to every other business on the planet. Power is moving away from the old elite in our industry -- the editors, the chief executives and, let's face it, the proprietors.
"A new generation of media consumers has risen demanding content delivered when they want it, how they want it, and very much as they want it."
We have to realize that change and advancement in any given field is expected over time. We can only follow the old way of doing something for so long before it becomes outdated. It’s not as bad as Murdoch is making it sound either. You have to cater to your audience and if they want something different you have to give it to them in order to make money and keep making money. Murdoch gives a lot of credit to the consumer and that is important. I always like to think that you never want to underestimate your reader when writing an article because more or less they will feel insulted. Engage rather than explain and let the content speak for itself.
Perhaps a little, but I can definitely see evidence to support his claims.
I think the biggest change in people's needs is that they want to be mobile almost constantly, to be able to pick up whatever they are using and take it with them, rather than being tied down to a power outlet or something similar.
Two words: cell phones. They are so popular that line-connected phones have become nearly obsolete for our generation, or will become so soon enough. In fact, I know a handful of people who no longer own any phones but cell phones. With cell phones, music, video, pictures, games, news, etc. are now downloadable practically anywhere.
The demand for wireless internet is also increasing. I can name 4 or 5 public wireless hot spots within 5 miles of my house; in some large cities, there are hundreds.
People still like the feel of a book in their hands. They still like tucking a newspaper in their bag. I think Murdock is a little sensational.