I'll use photography and cameras as a metaphor to explain how knowledge works.

Your camera and your craft

I'll use photography and cameras as a metaphor to explain how knowledge works. I've been a photographer for a long time, and every year a new product is released, prompting people to rush to buy it. An average camera manual has around 200 pages detailing how to maximize the use of the device.

Depending on your style of photography, you may not need the latest and greatest model. However, ego often comes into play. Many think, "I need a new camera; what will people think if I'm still using a five-year-old model?" Or they feel the need for something flashy to project success. But if your photography remains mediocre, perhaps you haven't invested the time necessary to understand how the camera, lens, and—God forbid—flash work. Back in the 1950s and 60s, cameras were expensive, and new models were released infrequently.

Photographers would use the same device for 5 to 10 years, allowing them to fully integrate their craft and knowledge into the equipment before creating something remarkable. Today, I primarily use vintage lenses because they offer a unique look based on the aperture settings. I loved the "new" models when f/1.4 was a cutting-edge feature.

Don't get me wrong; I love my iPhone, but it serves a different purpose. In reality, even my 14-year-old camera is superior in many respects—but that's a topic for another discussion!

What do you think? What camera do you use today, whether for fun or business? Are you fully utilizing it before considering a switch to the next model?