PR (and photography) are prepared for the future

  I’m engulfed in the book ‘A whole new mind’ by Daniel H. Pink. The bright orange soft cover book is filled with facts and stories about how the future is changing. We’re evolving from the information age into the conceptual age. Our lives and jobs will be shifting from left brain thinking (logical, linear and factual) to right brain thinking (abstract, patterns and non-linear).

 I’m tickled to hear this great news. I’m tickled because I’m a photographer and a communicator – both right brain thinking fields. Daniel H. Pink says we’re shifting to the conceptual age due to three factors: abundance, Asia and automation.

  Abundance: There’s so much of everything now. It’s not good enough to just release a functional product. It has to be aesthetic and creatively noticable. Asia: Jobs and tasks can be done much cheaper by 3rd party Eastern countries. Automation: Computers can complete certain jobs with great speed and preciseness.

  So if you have a job that can be done by a computer or done overseas cheaper or can be overlooked in a world of abundance – you’re in trouble.

  Photography and public relations are two fields that cannot fall into the abundance, Asia and automation trap. They’re safe because a computer can’t do it and Asia can’t do it (for us) either. In fact, due to such abundance of business – photography and public relations are in demand. Both disciplines help separate businesses from the competition with creativity. Especially photography. Effective, visual elements are on a fantastic rise in all businesses now. In some cases, even public relations needs photography. Try and find a company that isn’t aesthetically painted up with pictures and design elements. You can’t.

  I’m curious if anyone has noticed this trend happening. The farther I dig into this book, the more i see and believe it. The information age is already drawing to an end. 18th century brought agriculture age. 19th century brought industrial age. 20th century brought information age and 21st century is the conceptual age.

  Are we in favor of this shift? Would you consider yourself to be a right brain thinker? Do you believe the information age will end soon, and the conceptual age will begin? And are you excited to be in the public relations or photography field during this booming time?

~ by printphotopr on February 5, 2008.