New Isn’t Always Better—But It Can Be

But just because they are new doesn’t mean they are better.

The first thing to know about innovation is that it does not come for free. It gives us some benefits but strips us of others without our consent, forever changing life as we know it.

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The double-edged sword of innovation

As Yuval Noah Harari stated in Sapiens, history shows how luxuries eventually become necessities and, from there, lead to new obligations. He mentions how the Agricultural Revolution, for example, didn’t improve the quality of life for those who pioneered it. The workdays became longer, and the population boomed, putting new stressors on communities and natural resources.

Reflecting on modern life, we can likely spot the double-edged sword of innovation. Before email was synched with our phones, when the workday ended … it ended. Before social media, the enviable lives of others were blissfully out of view.

Another truth about innovations is they aren’t just tools we use. They are extensions of ourselves.

It may seem sci-fi, but this union happens daily through neuroplasticity. The brain forms synaptic connections based on information we take in, physically changing the pathways in our brain and, thereby, our thoughts, words and actions.

Being constantly plugged is an innovation that changes us. In The Shallows by Nicolas Carr, he explains how all the skimming and swiping has thrust our brains into a perpetual state of distraction. Our brains have rewired to adapt, severing us from deeply human skills in the process—critical thought, focused learning and intuitive creativity.

The thing is, those skills are needed now more than ever. As we face a global pandemic, mental health crises and the mounting effects of climate change, one must ask if innovations like the metaverse are right for this moment in time. The promise of an alternate reality has its allure, but maybe we have some work to do in this reality first.

Intentional innovation

Just as the brain can reprogram itself, we can reprogram our shared reality through intentional innovation.

Intentional innovation means being clear about the type of future we want to create—one where people feel healthy, connected and environmentally safe—and working backwards to adopt the innovations that help us get there. It means evaluating new things as they arise, integrating those that bring us closer to what we want and resisting those that do not.

To be clear: Intentional innovation is not about rejecting technology. There are some very smart tools that have the potential to create a better future for us all. A fashion app called Bandi has built a platform to help people with similar styles swap clothes sustainably. GoFundMe is partnering with Classy, the top platform for nonprofits, widening the pool of potential donors for great causes.

While it’s everyone’s responsibility to decide which innovations we adopt, companies can use their resources and platforms to champion our collective intentions. Electricity retailer Geneco is partnering with Singapore National Parks to help bring people closer to the natural world. Brands like Budweiser and Heineken have rallied around the zero-alcohol drink movement, showing how product innovation can be very intentional.

Sometimes, innovation isn’t a physical thing, but an idea or societal concept that moves the world forward. Brands like Mixwell are proudly supporting messages of inclusion and donating to like-minded organizations. Panda Express is making cultural understanding accessible through an interactive game.

Ideas are powerful; they shape perception and spark action. Keep in mind that any innovation is a value exchange. And whatever we put energy towards—in the form of thought, time, money or engagement—will grow more of that thing.

So, what are we getting from innovation? What might we be giving up? And how is this supporting the quality of life we want for humanity?

The light of bright, shiny objects can be blinding. But keeping our eyes open and focused on our intention has never been more important.

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