Platforms Are Eating the World

http://www.digitaltonto.com/2015/the-new-age-of-platforms/

by zabramow • 11 years ago

19 6 11 years ago

lucio• 11 years ago

I don't see how quantum mechanics has something to do with: "lasers, microprocessors and iPhones" Seems to be things based more on classical physics...

QM maybe means D-wave computers...

rpcope12• 11 years ago

For starters, lasers rely on population inversion and thus the idea that atoms exist in discretized states, which are really consequences of the quantum theory that emerges in the early 20th century. Likewise, modern solid state physics, which enables semiconductors and LCDs, is really built upon quantum mechanics.

rpcope12• 11 years ago

I think I dislike this blog post for many reasons, if nothing else because this guy's understanding of the history of physics seems a little off. Einstein discovered the photoelectric effect in 1905, which did in some ways continue the experiments that would pave the way for modern quantum theory, but was really more known for special and general relativity, which still are being reconciled with quantum theory. To cast Einstein as someone who "couldn't adapt" to the consequences of his earlier works or who was "cast into obscurity" after the 1930's seems ignorant at best. While the Copenhagen interpretation seems to be the prevailing view in academia now, to belittle Einstein as almost a luddite in the face of the quantum revolution seems to under estimate how strange and questionable "spooky action at a distance" was at the time, especially in the face of thought experiments such as the EPR paradox.

I also find the comparison of the quantum revolution in physics to the flash in the pan shiny apps that seem to come and go every couple of years also very questionable. To compare Facebook "as a platform" to the gravity of quantum mechanics seems rather insulting to the Physicists of the early 20th century.

aytekin• 11 years ago

"We need to break free of past assumptions. We no longer live in a world of products, but platforms."

Or products that are also platforms: Airbnb, Facebook, Twitter, Uber, Etsy, Amazon

Even my own small SaaS product is also a platform. JotForm is a form builder, but our form templates platform took off like crazy, and has 7500 templates. The only platform where people can share ready to use forms with each other. We are now creating similar platforms for form themes and form widgets.

youngthugger• 11 years ago

I don't think Einstein has been proven wrong. He just said we don't have a full understanding of quantum physics. God playing dice hasn't won till this day. So far its a black box we haven't cracked.

zabramow• 11 years ago

Other related important read is Chris Dixon's piece on tools --> network http://cdixon.org/2015/01/31/come-for-the-tool-stay-for-the-...

Platforms Are Eating the World

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