Chapter 7. The Technology Curve

 

“Knowing when to get off the old curve and jump onto the new is the secret of staying ahead of the competition.”

 
 --Richard Foster

Sergei Bubka, a famous Russian pole-vaulter, broke the world pole-vault record, clearing 6 meters in the Paris International Track and Field Meet in 1985. He was asked if he ever expected to clear the 7-meter mark. His response was, “No, there will have to be another technical revolution before that height can be reached.” [1] His response implied that there’s only so high that one can jump using a bending fiberglass pole. This is a classic example of the limits of technology. Every technology has a limit up to which point it can be harnessed and significant competitive advantage derived ...

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