Instant replay is an invention that allows us to see what just happened. In combination with slow-motion it allows us to capture things that our own eyes may not be capable to perceive, like a very fast tennis serve or a hockey goal.
It is innovation, a Schumpeterian Event that has revolutionized broadcasting and can revolutionize how professional sports are conducted where big stakes come into play by allowing referees to verify and to correct any erroneous calls. One would expect that once the technology is adopted by a professional sport, all other sports would follow suit to keep up with technology and innovation.
According to Wikipedia, video-tape replay was invented in the 1960’s. It took twenty years for the NFL to use it in a limited way (1986). And finally the NFL introduced the current system in 1999. The NBA introduced it in 2002. MLB took almost forty years to introduce it and in a very limited fashion (2006) and it is still not used in some crucial plays. Even the Winter Olympics have introduced some instant replay--better late than never.
But FIFA, the organizational body that manages the most popular sport in the world, does not use instant replay in spite of refereeing errors that have impacted results in World Cup games that could have been corrected; goals that are scored using hands, or that cross the line and are not counted, or that are disallowed for erroneous off-side or foul calls. World Cup goals have been at a premium due to typical low-scoring games.
So why isn’t FIFA adopting instant-replay? FIFA has listed numerous reasons. But I believe the main reason can be identified if we look at the principles outlined by Joseph Schumpeter when he introduced the concept of “Creative Destruction” (innovation displacing old products).
The key is there must be competition for “Creative Destruction” to work. Creative innovation and non-monopolistic success accounts for the prosperity of most organizations. But FIFA is a type of monopoly. There is only one FIFA controlling the most popular sport in the world. So they can make decisions on technology as they please, without the pressures of a competitive body getting ahead of them.
On the other hand, when we see the elements competition between sport organizations, for example in the United States, we see the introduction of new technology, albeit slowly. Professional sports in America compete against each other for: TV and radio airtime, merchandise, tickets, etc. And such competition forces them to keep up with technology to a degree. Baseball may be enjoying some monopolistic characteristic though especially during summer months and this is why they still drag their feet introducing innovation.
But FIFA is still all on its own from a worldwide perspective without serious competition. As long as they are governed without competitive pressures they will continue doing what they choose to do. I expect FIFA will eventually introduce some form of instant replay, but not due to competitive pressures. And therefore it will be limited in scope, not taking total advantage of the potential benefits that this invention offers to the sport.
Some examples from YouTube.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Re-Inventing Agriculture: Examples of Creative Destruction
Well into the new millennium, we find ourselves wrapped around a debate about the impact of global warming on nature. Whether we believe in global warming or not, we agree the debate has engaged a new generation of students to become more aware about the environment, spending more time doing research that results in inventions in areas such as energy, transportation, and specially in agriculture.
We will witness a significant number of what I call "Schumpeterian Events" within the agricultural industry. I would like to list just two examples: Water conservation by changing farming methods; and better use of farming land utilizing information from satellites.
While these events may seem independent of one another, they are linked by people's desire to improve our environment. The companies that foresee the future will succeed, while those that don't, will be left behind. And Joseph Schumpeter's prophecy of creative destruction will once again prove itself true.
My first example, water conservation by changing farming methods, is based on how the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere is causing plants to absorb more water than usual. Through the study of how plants absorb water, researches will provide ideas to develop better farming methods. An article from The New York Times written by Syndia Bhanoo [Dec. 28, 2009] described how eventually there could be better farming methods to conserve water. Upon the arrival of new farming methods, farmers will need apply them to remain competitive.
My second example, agriculture and satellites, came from The Economist [Nov. 7th, 2009]. Satellites are easily providing precise prescriptions to farmers: How much to plant, how much seed to use, where and how much fertilizer or pesticide to use, how much to water, etc. Companies need to be ready to offer these types of services to farmers. For example, the Farmers Almanac could take the lead to provide satellite information to farmers. That would be an example of creative destruction. Successful companies will re-invent the way things are done and such industry will never be the same again.
There are many other programs trying to re-invent the agricultural industry. The minds of our new generations are busy at work, making sure that we all have a bright future in this earth. Creative companies will succeed with new products and services.
We will witness a significant number of what I call "Schumpeterian Events" within the agricultural industry. I would like to list just two examples: Water conservation by changing farming methods; and better use of farming land utilizing information from satellites.
While these events may seem independent of one another, they are linked by people's desire to improve our environment. The companies that foresee the future will succeed, while those that don't, will be left behind. And Joseph Schumpeter's prophecy of creative destruction will once again prove itself true.
My first example, water conservation by changing farming methods, is based on how the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere is causing plants to absorb more water than usual. Through the study of how plants absorb water, researches will provide ideas to develop better farming methods. An article from The New York Times written by Syndia Bhanoo [Dec. 28, 2009] described how eventually there could be better farming methods to conserve water. Upon the arrival of new farming methods, farmers will need apply them to remain competitive.
My second example, agriculture and satellites, came from The Economist [Nov. 7th, 2009]. Satellites are easily providing precise prescriptions to farmers: How much to plant, how much seed to use, where and how much fertilizer or pesticide to use, how much to water, etc. Companies need to be ready to offer these types of services to farmers. For example, the Farmers Almanac could take the lead to provide satellite information to farmers. That would be an example of creative destruction. Successful companies will re-invent the way things are done and such industry will never be the same again.
There are many other programs trying to re-invent the agricultural industry. The minds of our new generations are busy at work, making sure that we all have a bright future in this earth. Creative companies will succeed with new products and services.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Beatles: Innovation in the Recording Studio
It would be an understatement to say that the Beatles transformed music. They represent the transformation of an entire industry and culture. During the “Let It Be” recordings, in “Fly on the Wall”, John Lennon said “the whole point of it is communication.” Perhaps he was right. But the truth is the Beatles were always in motion, always inventing coming up with “Something New” ;-)
The Beatles transformed how bands use the recording studio. Before the Beatles, a band would go into a studio, play music, and engineers and producers would record it. But with the Beatles, the studio itself became a musical instrument to play, to experiment, to invent, changing techniques, taking music to new levels.
The Ah Ha! moment came during the recording of “I Feel Fine”. Paul described that “John leaned his guitar against the amp” [Bob Spitz, The Beatles, p. 541] and by accident created feedback, sound distortion, a special effect! The Beatles were intrigued by that sound. They used feedback as a distinctive sound at the beginning of the song. The rest is history. Musicians took over the studio and the studio became a laboratory of music.
This is why that was a Schumpeterian moment: The fusion between the musician and recording studio became strategic. Musicians needed the best studios to experiment and to create their art. They used many new recording techniques that followed. The Beatles created master pieces like “St. Pepper” in Abbey Road. Other bands, for example Pink Floyd became notorious for their studio techniques. The music industry changed due to innovation in the recording studio, a Schumpeterian event.
The Beatles transformed how bands use the recording studio. Before the Beatles, a band would go into a studio, play music, and engineers and producers would record it. But with the Beatles, the studio itself became a musical instrument to play, to experiment, to invent, changing techniques, taking music to new levels.
The Ah Ha! moment came during the recording of “I Feel Fine”. Paul described that “John leaned his guitar against the amp” [Bob Spitz, The Beatles, p. 541] and by accident created feedback, sound distortion, a special effect! The Beatles were intrigued by that sound. They used feedback as a distinctive sound at the beginning of the song. The rest is history. Musicians took over the studio and the studio became a laboratory of music.
This is why that was a Schumpeterian moment: The fusion between the musician and recording studio became strategic. Musicians needed the best studios to experiment and to create their art. They used many new recording techniques that followed. The Beatles created master pieces like “St. Pepper” in Abbey Road. Other bands, for example Pink Floyd became notorious for their studio techniques. The music industry changed due to innovation in the recording studio, a Schumpeterian event.
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