Very interesting. There are a few reasons I am either an innovator or early adopter.
-Whether it is technology or clothes, I hate it when I jump on the bandwagon JUST as the trend is about to fade away or a new version of what I'm using is about to be released. I bought my Powerbook (which I still use) about a month before the first version of the Macbook Pro was released (obviously, I did not know about the release, as Apple is very tight-lipped about these things). Better to start early and get as much pleasure and use as you can. I find that procrastinating on these things just puts you in a rut where you never really get to give anything new a proper chance, and you end up falling back on the same old trusty items, whether cropped cardigans or rotary phones.
-I would get seriously bored if I didn't always have a long list of new things to try. I never even make it to half my list at any given time, but you know, reach for the stars and land on the moon or whatever the saying is...
-I see no point in being timid. You can try things on in the fitting room and even take them home for a test drive. If you don't like it, just take it back. What's the harm in trying?
-I am only an early adopter/innovator when I see potential in the trend and like it on myself. I don't jump on the latest thing just because it's the latest thing. It has to look good on me and suit my personal style. Then there are certain things that I just absolutely hate, and won't go near in spite any other factors. Same with technology. It wouldn't make sense for me to get something that I have no use for.
OT: People who are slow on the uptake regarding technology definitely risk getting left behind in a detrimental way. Not a good idea. I don't even consider it an option anymore: it's mandatory.
