Stop Following Tech Trends!

Melchor Tatlonghari

In today’s rapidly-evolving tech landscape, it’s tempting to dive head-first into the latest trends and technologies. However, following these trends indiscriminately can lead to wasted time and energy. In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of blindly jumping on the bandwagon and discuss the benefits of taking a more strategic approach. We’ll also highlight the importance of building a strong portfolio and considering long-term returns on investment.

The Immature and Hyped Nature of Tech Trends

A prime example of the risks of prematurely adopting new technologies is TypeScript. While it garnered significant attention and adoption, recent discussions have raised concerns about its value. The creator of the popular web framework Svelte even switched back to JavaScript and JSdoc, citing the reduced hassle and benefits of sticking to tried-and-true technologies.

Similarly, the adoption of Kubernetes has been marred by misconfigurations. Numerous studies have shed light on poorly configured workloads, defeating the purpose of scaling and potentially causing more harm than good. These examples demonstrate the immaturity and potential pitfalls of hastily embracing trendy technologies.

Moreover, it’s crucial to recognize that while engineers may place a high emphasis on the latest and greatest, businesses have different priorities. Established companies, especially those handling large sums of money, are unlikely to risk their profits for the sake of adopting new technology. The development time, migration costs, and potential disruptions often outweigh the perceived benefits. It’s mostly the engineers, driven by their passion for innovation and growth, who bear the burden of embracing cutting-edge tools.

The Importance of Technology Maturity

To avoid wasting time and resources, taking a more strategic approach to technology is essential. Waiting for technologies to mature and gain widespread adoption allows for a more informed decision-making process. While it can be thrilling to be an early adopter, being patient and observing how a technology evolves over time can help identify its true value.

Large companies, in particular, tend to prioritize stability and reliability over novelty. They lean towards proven solutions that have stood the test of time. While smaller companies and indie developers may have the bandwidth to experiment with the latest tech, established organizations prioritize practicality and long-term viability over being on the bleeding edge.

The Risk of Falling Behind

While it’s not inherently wrong to keep up with technology trends, it’s crucial to accept that falling behind is inevitable at some point. The tech landscape moves at an unprecedented pace, and attempting to stay at the cutting edge can lead to burnout. Instead of constantly chasing new technologies, engineers can focus on honing their skills and building a strong portfolio.

While the allure of the latest technologies may seem irresistible, historical success stories remind us that older technologies can still have immense value. Websites built in PHP continue to generate substantial revenue for solopreneurs, showcasing the importance of sustainable, profitable projects. Investing time in building your own ideas and projects can pay off in the long run, irrespective of the programming language or technology used.

Closing Thoughts

While it’s exciting to explore new technologies, blindly following tech trends without considering their maturity, practicality, and long-term viability can be detrimental. Taking a strategic approach, being patient, and observing how technologies develop and gain traction can save engineers from wasting time and energy. It’s important to recognize the priorities of businesses, which often prioritize stability and proven solutions over being on the cutting edge. By focusing on building a strong portfolio and creating projects with long-term potential, software engineers can thrive in the ever-changing tech landscape.