Old or New: What Do You Value?

I’m fascinated by technique. Whether traditional or modern, it’s always interesting to learn about what makes a better product, let alone what motivates people to buy it. Why do certain people favor old ways of doing things and others new? I'm equally fascinated by how companies choose to present themselves and their processes. Some old-school methods have become as trendy as ever. Likewise, techniques couched as cutting-edge are really nothing more than innovations on old ideas. Isn't the iPod just a new incarnation of the Walkman?