The world is rapidly embracing digital transformation, bringing major improvements to quality of life and service delivery in this phase of human development. Yet some of us, including decision-makers, remain stuck in an analogue mindset. This disconnect risks undermining the very benefits that technology and progress are meant to deliver.
For digital transformation to succeed, both implementers and users must shift fully from analog to digital thinking, because the two mindsets are fundamentally incompatible.
Clinging to analog habits undermines both efficiency and progress. Online meetings, for example, have drastically reduced travel time and related costs – clear proof of the gains enabled by digital tools. One meets with greater urgency. I saw how speeding fines are issued automatically; cameras capture violations and fines are mailed to violators via linked vehicle databases. In contrast, manual approach calls for traffic hand-written books, letters, and on-the-spot payments, often with room for negotiation or bribes. Today, fines are now all held online platforms – a digital shift – producing better safety for motorists and the nation as a whole. Truth, roads are the safer by digital methods.
Digital records have improved information about citizens at national ID and agency details already collaboratively boosting national numbers and records. It’s faster, easier and quick to check on honesty of public documents; they are algorithmically implemented instead of forms that waste time, paper, and energy. Ironically, the persistence of analog mindsets means many who theoretically understand the value of digitization still hold on to manual processes and the false comfort of “this is how it’s always been done”. For these digital-first vision, the daily reality of analogue is out of place.
A major challenge for forward movement is hesitation, the sense of nostalgia for life as when their authority relied on face-to-face interactions and direct personal power. That analogue mindset is now an obstacle to service delivery.
So why persist in an analogue mindset – especially among public officials – nay, in fact, be a desire to retain control over non-mathematise processes. Whether its political, power or both, digital shift is better development. We must let go of practices that no longer serve the public good in a digital age.
