The first step in finding
a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book was to search for it online. It was available
at Amazon instant video for a token fee of $2.99. Unfortunately, I could not watch
it because there was a restriction for people based outside US. The next step
was to order for the DVD version from Amazon. However, my online search did not
stop, and I later found a site for free download of maximum of 2GB. This was the
source I used for watching the “Paycheck” movie.
According to Arthur (1996), increasing
returns are the tendency for the technology, which is leading to get further ahead,
and that which loses advantage to lose further advantage. While Thornburg
(2008c) stated "Red queens" are two technologies in fierce competition
with each other, and outdo each other by improved services and meeting needs of
users. The competition between DVDs and video-on-demand (VOD) as both
technologies are on high demand by users can be classified as red queens. Video-on-demand
is moving further ahead with an exponential increase in usage. It is becoming better
as people within the comfort of their homes can have immediate access to any movie
without waiting for the timeline of delivery of DVDs. It is of a lesser cost compared
to the cost of DVDs. The movies are stored in various formats to reduce the size,
and watched digitally with ease of download. However, video-on-demand might not
easily outdated DVDs, especially in developing countries where the internet
bandwidth is slow. It would take few years before DVDs can totally lose advantage.
DVDs and video-on-demand both enhance watching of movies at user’s comfort.
There is a likelihood of VOD driving DVDs to extinction in the next few years.
Currently both DVDs and VOD obsolete the use of VHS. However, the VOD will
rekindle a technology that would allow people access to movies without the use
of the internet.
References
Arthur, W. B. (1996). Increasing
returns and the new world of business. Harvard Business Review, 74(4),
100−109. Retrieved from the Business Source Complete database.
Thornburg, D. (2008c). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses
into emergent technologies.
Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration
