Instant Pleasure

If you were to look at a curve of obsession with instant gratification, it would seem to be on a constant uptick (I buy into it). Twitter, Digg, etc are great examples of real-time, web based information perpetuating tools that have taken off and changed the way we consume media and seek information. "Unplugging", for most, would send us into a state of panic - fearful that we'd miss something crucially important.

It seems that brands (technology brands, in particular) have shifted their positioning to focus on this trend:

Sprint is doing it right.
"Now network" is engaging and offers immediate (and entertaining) real-time nonsequitor-esque data.

Intel is doing it wrong.
"Sponsors of tomorrow" is pervasive, but slow and unimaginative.


I've had a lot of thoughts about the implications of this shift, the greatest of which were lit by this Gladwell article. I'd love to hear yours...