We live in an instantaneous world. 2012 proved more than ever that we expect things at a rapid pace, whether its music or technology.
In the mad rush, we often forget to slow down and appreciate just how important well-made products are.
That said, 2012 also proved that the general public still ultimately cares for a quality product, and will prove its devotion with their wallets.
The most obvious example is 2012's Billboard Artist of the Year, Adele. Her album 21 is the year's best selling album, again. In fact, she became the first artist in seven years to be certified Diamond (meaning she sold 10 million copies in the United States). While its not to say that she released the best album ever, there was clearly a significant amount of effort that went into that album, more than fly-by-night melodies and forgettable lyrics. On the other side of the spectrum, you have artists like Ke$ha and Flo Rida, who ultimately flopped with their LPs, despite huge radio support. Now, mass-produced EDM seems to be making way for indie and alternative music, notably Fun. and The Lumineers.
In the world of technology, Apple still reigned supreme in terms of hardware, thanks to their famed attention to detail; the iPhone 5 is an absolutely gorgeous piece of work, and the iPad mini followed closely behind. Apple ultimately makes the best hardware in the world, which why they can sell millions easily, despite premium price levels. Their software, on the other hand, has been a highly-publicized shortfall, especially in 2012. The Apple Maps debacle was so damaging that heads literally rolled out the door, most notably Scott Forstall. When Google released their iOS maps app, the exodus was headline-worthy. In fact, the entire iOS suite of Google apps have improved drastically, moving past their Android counterparts.
So, what does this all mean? Essentially, that quality really does matter over quantity, and the results are proving that for the first time in awhile. Sure, we live in a fast-paced world, where music needs to be put out every week, and technology is constantly evolving, and news is disseminated by the quarter-second. However, there is still a lot of respect for work that shows considerable effort and attention.
The lesson of 2012 going into the New Year, is to put quality ahead of everything else, and let the results speak for itself.
Happy New Year everyone!
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