Nearly 20 years ago, in my mid-30s, I was writing about trends for a Canadian newspaper chain. A younger friend suggested, “You should write about Facebook.” This was a turning point. I became one of the first Canadian journalists to cover the social media phenomenon before it gained widespread attention. My very first Facebook friend was their PR representative.
Initially, my editors—men in their 50s—appreciated my youthful insight. However, when I proposed another Facebook story weeks later, their enthusiasm waned. “One story is enough,” they said.
Newspapers were notoriously slow to adapt to the digital age. I witnessed leadership mishandling this transition, stuck in a mindset where they dictated importance, failing to see that audiences now had the power to decide.
Reflecting on those times, I learned two vital lessons. First, legacy institutions often resist or ignore inevitable change, making rushed adjustments when it’s too late. Second, there’s often a disconnect between what mainstream journalists perceive and what’s actually happening, presenting an opportunity.
Fast forward, and now at 55, I have a column called Crypto Chronicles. Kudos to Khaleej Times and KT LUXE editors for trusting a journalist with firsthand experience. To echo Snoop Dogg, I’d also like to thank myself for overcoming resistance and learning about topics my peers overlook.
Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy, a business intelligence and AI software company, is noted for investing early in tech giants like Facebook. He envisions Bitcoin similarly, advising: ‘Find something essential, unstoppable, and misunderstood.’
The current shift extends beyond Bitcoin. It involves every government, industry, and company needing blockchain integration, and the foresight to invest in supportive companies.
Whitney Woodcock, crypto educator and CEO of crypto community Queen of Millions, calls it “the new world.”
Based in Texas, Woodcock recently urged Instagram followers to wake up. “If you plan to adopt this later,” she warns, “you’ll miss out.”
Learn from my editors, who ignored what they didn’t grasp. Don’t wait until it’s obvious and entry points are scarce.
If you’re apprehensive, recall Susan Jeffers’ words from her 1987 book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. We often imagine only the bad that might happen, not the inevitable good.
It’s your decision—sometimes you must begin before feeling ready. Start by committing to daily reading or research.
Set a goal for six months or a year, like buying Bitcoin weekly regardless of price. By the end, you’ll be more informed and likely eager to continue.
