So, one thing that has become markedly obvious to me, learning about WeWork (in case it wasn’t obvious enough!), is that the world we live in is always markedly divided into, at least, two different cultures: those who want to keep doing things the old way, and those who readily adopt the new way of doing things. But, the picture is not so simple as this may paint it. Often times, there are entire communities of people who only do things the old way or only do things the new way. That being said, I happen to live in a neighborhood where there is a good mix of people living in somewhat older and somewhat newer ways of life, even as next-door neighbors. Clearly, I’m not in the middle of a WeLive community where the administration and most of the residents are skewed toward only the newest way of doing things and living their lives.
The oft-repeated adage is “the grass is greener on the other side.” Indeed, I sometimes think that to myself. Wouldn’t things be so much better for me be if I was living in a community where people only did things the new way, the way that embraces modern technology to the greatest extent possible? And indeed, this is where I realize the folly in such a way of life. When you live in a community that only does things the new way, you can too quickly forget about the other communities that exist that only do things the old way. For those of us who have gotten far enough to read this article, clearly I need not explain the perils of living in a community that only does things the old way.
Indeed, I have to say, we can even be so specific as to name certain communities, as of 2019, that are skewed to one side or the other, and communities that run a better balance in between. “Silicon Valley,” California is clearly a community that is sharply biased toward the new ways of living. New York City, New York, also has some stronger biases toward new-style living. Oklahoma has quite a number of pockets of old-style living communities. Minneapolis, Minnesota has some new-style living, but not so extreme as the other mentioned cities. Minnesota, as a whole state, seems to have quite a good balance between old-style living and new-style living. On one hand, the old style doesn’t get too old, and on the other hand, the new style isn’t monopolistic or overly futuristic.
So, wow. I seem to have almost strayed off the original intended subject, that of 3D scanning. But indeed, I actually haven’t. 3D scanning is only but a piece of the puzzle of this larger picture. The specific question that I have been asking myself over and over again with 3D scanning, is who will adopt it? Who can I expect to be willing to adopt 3D scanning technology, and who can be written out of the picture as those who will never be interested? WeWork provides a very strong example of the kinds of customers willing to readily adopt any kind of 3D scanning technology. If you think about the most futuristic, highest-tech, property management companies, 3D scanning is an excellent fit. If, by contrast, you think about builders and people who want to keep doing things the old way, 3D scanning may seem like an unnecessary extra to them. Ultimately, your goal as a personal user of 3D scanning technology is to walk the bridge over the gap between these two disparate communities.