Disruptive Technology

It's sort of funny. 'Disruptive technology', as a phrase, is considered by many self-proclaimed pundits to meet the definition here:

A disruptive technology or disruptive innovation is a technological innovation that improves a product or service in ways that the market does not expect, typically by being lower priced or designed for a different set of consumers.

I offer another definition which is based more on the meaning of the words in the phrase rather than a heavily marketed conceptualization meant for marketing. Remember when the web had more content than marketing?

Disruptive derives from disrupt - which means to cause turmoil or disorder, or to interrupt continuity.

Technology's definition is a bit more interesting and vague - but for the purposes of this entry, we'll go with the following:

...the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.

Therefore, a 'disruptive technology' - outside of the pundit-speak - is actually a form of technology that causes disruption, turmoil, disorder and interrupts continuity. A mobile handset against the ear when driving. Newsfeeds and associated technologies that people are addicted to and follow to the point of distraction. The list can go on - and should go on. In fact, the very phrase 'disruptive technology' has been taken by marketers and twisted into a meaning altogether different.

Sure, there is a purpose for many technologies - even Twitter - but people don't use them in ways that are sensible. Most of it is just... crap. It's just ways for marketers to keep track of things. "10,000 people are twittering about twitter. Therefore twitter must be good."

"I feel so connected when I'm disconnected from the world around me."

Huh?

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the true 'disruptive technology': any technology that we abuse. Silicon needs to be shipped with information on 12 step programs.