When I was young, around 15-16 and in highschool… I remember being curious about all kinds of topics. Nothing held my interest for long, a kind of ADD that wasn’t debilitating, but didn’t help me choose a life path other than wanting to create “stuff.” I was asked a question a few days ago that got me thinking. I asked myself if there was something that I had spoken of a long time ago that I wish I paid more attention to.
Well, back in highschool, I was walking through the halls with a friend, and we were discussing what the next big thing could be. And in a moment I would now find more like “Good Will Hunting” than most things in my life, I was approached by the janitor who verbally grabbed us by the scruff and said “The next big thing boys, will be educational software, and vacuum technology.” Well, we were probably just arrogant highschool kids then, I do remember asking about the educational software and nearly immediately discounting the vacuum technology. He said that childrens educational software would be an explosive growth market, and just as quickly, went back to his duties.
Several months later, The Learning Company, became the hottest thing on the market when we had stores which held software and like newspapers, a presence was felt instead of the nearly ubiquitious internet sapping brand awareness and making everything a hazy grey with few stand outs. And, well, James Dyson, of Dyson Vacuum fame, didn’t discount vacuum technology at all, and has made a company and life from it.
So, a little advice… the next time someone suggests they know what the next big thing will be… pay attention.