Diffusion of Innovations

Thinking of Diffusion of Innovations in relation to the online version of National Geographic the first thing I think about is that the online version is definitely a newer way to communicate the information to people than the Print Version. According to Answers.com (http://www.answers.com/topic/national-geographic-1) the Print Version of National Geographic Magazine began in 1962. Just thinking of the word Diffusion I learned from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=VideoArticle&id=52352 that the National Geographic Society was formed “for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” So now that has gone from having a choice of learning with a printed copy of the magazine or by going online and reading or listening on the National Geographic Magazine Website (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm). The National Geographic website was launched in June 1996 (http://press.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/index.jsp?pageID=factSheets_detail&siteID=1&cid=1047675381100)

In our textbook, Media Now (Straubhaar &LaRose, 2008) it states that in diffusion prices are important. With being able to read National Geographic online without cost it gives many people the ability to enjoy the magazine. Even if you did not have a computer of your own there are computers available in Public Libraries. The print version of National Geographic is available in a 28 different languages so that is another way more people are reached. Check out this timeline and you will see the first language other than English was Japanese in 1995 and the most recent language was Orthodox Hebrew in 2007. (http://press.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/index.jsp?pageID=factSheets_detail&siteID=1&cid=1047675381100). Not to leave the online views out National Geographic also provides its website in 35 languages. According to the National Geographic website there are 12 million visitors each month. (http://press.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/index.jsp?pageID=factSheets_detail&siteID=1&cid=1058466231550). I’d say they are successful in reaching people and are innovators.