Consumer Electronics Show: The Paradox of Choices
A couple months ago, Barry Schwartz, author of the Paradox of Choice http://eshop.msn.com/search/detail.aspx?pcId=14542&prodId=2446533 spoke to a group at Microsoft. In his book, he makes a provocative case that the "freedom of choice" we enjoy so much in the US can actually be harmful psychologically and economically. For example, he shows that the more choices an employee has in a 401k retirement plan, the less likely the employee is to participate, even if it means loss of income. The choices are just too difficult.
I thought about this while exploring the 2,400 exhibits of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, seeing thousands of different options for watching digital video or listening to digital music. Even if you're a deeply committed geek, it can be a bit overwhelming. Thrilling, yes, but overwhelming.
However, if you believe that such overwhelming choice can be a form of adversity, the bright side is that adversity brings people together. In the Windows XP user community that you find on the Expert Zone, there are user groups, newsgroup MVPs, independent community Web site publishers and other people who are getting together in clubs and online to help each other. They're helping each other figure what new technologies are useful, and how to make them work. In the new Windows Marketplace , people are helping each other figure out what is worth buying.
Getting involved in the user community is a good way to learn about technology and meet other people who are happy to share their knowledge. It's a chance to meet people who share your interests, and make some new friends. It's a good choice that I think Mr. Schwartz would appreciate.
-Chris Norred, tech editor
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