[kiawe_fire]

I hear that.

Whenever some new tools or tech comes along that can help us solve real, tangible problems we deal with, the resistance to learning something new is palpable.

Adding to that, any cool new ideas I think we could offer as a business (either as a result of new tech, or even just new ideas using the old tech) is usually met with resistance by people who are seemingly committed to boring stagnancy at all costs.

That’s where I have to walk the line between putting up with boring at work and still have enough energy in me to work on the fun stuff on my own.

[rleigh]

I have seen this repeatedly over the years. It's frustrated me personally many times.

However, just to offer a counterpoint, one thing I have seen time and time again from highly-motivated technical people is that they place the new and exciting technologies above the actual business needs. There is an inherent risk in using cutting-edge tools and technologies, and if the business is working well with the current stuff, why take a risk you don't have to?

Of course, the other end of the spectrum is only using completely obsolescent tools, and that can be a problem in and of itself as well, because it also brings risks with it.

I have, unfortunately, been on teams where these people got their way and it led to very expensive project failures because when reality came to bite, they couldn't deliver. The new stuff couldn't meet the requirements. Using existing technologies which were known quantities would have avoided that risk entirely, even if it wouldn't have been as fulfilling for them personally. The company isn't run for individuals' personal amusement and tech fetishes, and sadly when that takes priority over all else, it can lead to failure on colossal scale.

I still try out new stuff, but I don't propose we use it for serious business-related activities until it's been fully proven out.