Bad Trains

The Edge Effect

^{Read time: 2 min 43 sec | September 17th, 2024}

Welcome back 👋

Today, I want to highlight something often overlooked.

The stark contrast between the rapid advancements in information technology and the stagnation of most other real-world technologies.

While traveling by train in the UK, I noticed many people glued to their iPhones, yet the train and buildings around me felt stuck in the 1960s. This contrast between cutting-edge information technology and outdated infrastructure raises an important question.

Why do we see such a stark contrast?

💡 Today’s Insights

• Bits vs Atoms

• Why are atoms lagging behind?

• Looking Ahead

Bits vs Atoms

Peter Thiel said, "We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters," capturing how digital advances like social media (Twitter) have surged, while fields like transport, energy, and infrastructure lag behind.

Instead of fusion reactors or lunar bases, we live in an era dominated by information technology like the internet and smartphones.

Many technologies have stagnated since the mid-20th century. Space travel remains similar to the 1960s (with the exception of SpaceX), nuclear energy hasn’t seen major breakthroughs, and transportation systems, aviation, and building construction have changed little.

This affects both our productivity and well-being as a society. It's not just an aesthetic issue but a core societal challenge.

While digital innovations like social media and mobile technology have transformed efficiency, they haven't propelled civilisation forward as dramatically as innovations in physical technologies could.

So, why is infrastructure falling behind?

Why are atoms lagging behind?

• Regulation and Cost: Software faces minimal regulatory barriers and startup costs, unlike physical products which require extensive testing and compliance, like pharmaceuticals with FDA trials versus an app's simple app store approval.

• The Stalling of Scientific Progress: The idea that scientific progress, which underpins innovation in atoms, might be slowing down due to various factors, including the exhaustion of "low-hanging fruit" in research, bureaucratic inefficiencies, or a lack of visionary projects that capture public and private investment.

• Economic Incentives: The digital world offers quick scalability and lower risk, promoting swift innovation. Physical products demand substantial initial investment and bear higher risks, potentially stifling progress.

• Cultural and Intellectual Focus: There's a cultural skew towards digital solutions because they're easier to develop and profit from, leading to an under-investment in potentially groundbreaking physical technologies.

Looking Ahead

Despite these challenges, there are promising developments. Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk are advancing real-world technologies.

Tesla’s electric vehicles lead in autonomous driving. SpaceX’s reusable rockets are making space exploration more cost-effective, while The Boring Company’s tunnels aim to revolutionise urban transport.

Additionally, Adcock’s Humanoid robots have the potential to automate labour across various industries.

To truly propel society forward, we must encourage entrepreneurs to focus on innovations that bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

Advancements in transportation, energy, and infrastructure are just as crucial (if not more) as breakthroughs in software and hardware.

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Thank you for reading I look forward to seeing you again!

Thomas 🚀

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