We’ve all heard something like this, but they’re usually talking about dogs and their tricks. Unlike dogs, we have the capacity to learn new things all the time, however it’s the energy or enthusiasm we lack. For instance I could certainly run out and buy a surfboard, drive to SoCal, don a wet suit and get paddling. Do I want to? Heck no. Should I? Absolutely. Not just because I watched Becoming Maverick or stumbled upon this awesome site Almond Surfboards, but because we should do things that scare us once in awhile; do the things that tug at our inner child but we shrug off because we don’t think we can.

Technology and innovation follow the same course. You have the early adopters who have every gadget know to man as soon as it comes out on store shelves- well, it’s pre-ordered or just 453 people ahead of them in line- but there are many who are apprehensive and feel they don’t need to keep up with the rising tide of technology. They are unwilling to get on the board and see where the waves take them, instead they lie on the beach watching as others ride the big Kahuna. Likewise, in a world that communicates through electronic devices (television included), the more you decide to ignore the advancements, the more detached you become.

How else would you know that your niece’s best friend’s mother is making a cake right now (a yummy one no less) or that Charlie likes to bite - hard. Or how about learning that something called “makers” is actually an industrial revolution of entrepreneurs using open source design and 3-D printing for their DIY product design and creation. Here at ATOM, we know and preach that product design is not for the faint of heart. It is a PROCESS of research, design, engineering, prototyping and of course manufacturing. Yet, it’s the revolutionary production processes that excite us as we can start to help more people see their inventions come to life. Don’t worry, this is not to discount the mass-market productions that are still very necessary and are not going away anytime soon. Trust us on that one. But we come across more individuals who are ready to get their product to market and will get it there sooner with the concept of makers and rapid production and manufacturing.

Sure there are a lot of new tricks to learn, but imagine reaping the rewards of riding that first wave and hearing the shouts and applause of the beachcombers. So go get that board and wax on, whether it be on the big surf or the technology wave!