The Lindy Principle suggests that the future life expectancy of a non-perishable item is proportional to its current age. In simpler terms, if something has been around for a long time, it is likely to stick around much longer. The longer it has lasted, the more “antifragile” it tends to be—resistant to trends, changes, and even criticism.
Jet Fins are a textbook example of this. They’ve been in service since the ’60s and have endured every trend in fin design: splits, channels, vents, composite materials—you name it. Yet the original Jet Fin remains widely used, especially among technical divers.
This is so funny because freediving has gone for the super long full foot fins. (Or monofins)
Technical divers are stuck on the short stiff open heel jetfins (and clones)
There was a time when commercial divers were all in on the "force fins"
The recreational divers are open-minded to all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors.
But I am looking at pictures of some pretty hard core cave and technical divers like Rick Stanton, Edd Sorenson, Craig Challen, Patrick Widman, Natalie Gibb...etc and they are not in jetfins.
So maybe there is a gear natural distribution curve where new divers and waterninjas go with whatever they feel like and then the "middle" want to be perceived as experts so they must have all black gear with jetfins, two shearwater computers, stainless steel boltsnaps and canister lights.
We saw the adoption of manifolds in the early 90's, so technical divers do adopt different styles. Technical classes ran on independent doubles untill manifolds became all the rage.
But jetfins have staying power.
Other trends to watch?
if the tacticool "rock boots" will replace the booties.
if air integration (AI) will replace the brass and glass SPG.
if Avelo will catch on and replace BCD and AL80
Again: The only reason I use my fake jetfin clones is that they fit in carryon. I have a mutitude of other fins (Proof: my markefplace posts) that I have used over the years.
