{"id":36,"date":"2012-04-26T16:08:31","date_gmt":"2012-04-26T16:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janusdialogs.com\/?p=36"},"modified":"2014-03-06T16:26:15","modified_gmt":"2014-03-07T00:26:15","slug":"postcards-from-the-edge-what-is-a-janus-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.janusdialogs.com\/?p=36","title":{"rendered":"Postcards from the Edge: What is a Janus Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1984 the United States saw the majority of its gross domestic product come from Service rather than manufacturing. It was not a surprise, in fact it was well predicted, but its impact has been no less profound.<\/p>\n

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In the period from May 2011 to February 2012, Smartphones have become the norm<\/a>, surpassing other cell phones 46% to 41%. (Believe it or not, 12% still don\u2019t have cell phones at all.)<\/p>\n

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And, on September 11, 2001<\/a> an unpredictable occurrence took place that also changed the world in several different ways.<\/p>\n

These are examples of Janus Moments<\/em><\/strong> – the moment where a new norm is established. They may be planned or unplanned, predictable or not, good or bad; but they effect what is considered \u201cnormal\u201d in society, technology, economics, and politics \u2013 on a personal and macro level.<\/p>\n

The impact of these moments will be multi-faceted and meaningful if not to you personally, to those you market to, communicate with, and socialize with. And, they will be different for different segments of society, your audience, etc. Smartphone users tend to be younger; the shift in GDP impacted those with high school education and below differently than those with higher educations.<\/p>\n

It is possible to see Janus Moments coming and to prepare and react accordingly. In fact, some would argue that it is vital to look for these and see them coming, but where to look?<\/p>\n

Technology is the easiest as the introduction of new technology is often widely publicized and promoted. But with all realms, look to those on the edge \u2013 the fringe, the \u201cearly adaptors\u201d, or the \u201ccutting edge\u201d.<\/p>\n

The law of dangerous precedents says:<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery public action which is not customary, either is wrong, or, if it is right, is a dangerous precedent. It follows that nothing should ever be done for the first time.\u201d<\/em>1<\/a><\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n

It also follow that there is no way to see the coming of new norms without looking to the edge \u2013 to those doing things that set \u201cdangerous precedent\u201d. If you are uncomfortable, nervous, or uncertain, listen to that feeling.<\/p>\n

But it doesn\u2019t need to be so emotional. There are several types of change:<\/p>\n