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(Serious questions, seeking clarity in my own mind) Is Netflix a tech company? Is a company that sells ebooks a tech company? What about scientific journals?

(Serious questions, seeking clarity in my own mind) Is Netflix a tech company? Is a company that sells ebooks a tech company? What about scientific journals? Are they tech companies? Is Instagram a tech company? What about ad brokers?

dredmorbius 6y ago
I'd suggest the OECD definition: Hatzichronoglou, Thomas: "Revision of the High-Technology Sector and Product Classification", OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, No. 1997/02, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/revision-of-the-high-technology-sector-and-product-classification_134337307632 https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/revisi... Page 7 specifically divides manufacturing industries (it doesn't address services) into four technology levels, high, medium-high, medium low, and low: High technology: Aerospace, computers, office machinery, electronics-communications, pharmaceuticals. Medium-high technology: Scientific instruments, motor vehicles, electrical machinery, chemicals, other transport equipment, non-electrical machinery. Medium-low technoogy: Rubber and plastic products, shipbuilding, other manufacturing, non-ferrous metals, non-metallic mineral products, fabricated metal products, petroleum refining, ferrous metals. Low-technology: Paper printing, textiles and clothing, food, beverages, and tabacco, wood and furniture. Given J.S. Mill's wonderful definition of technology, 'the study of effects", there's little in human activity which is completely atechnological. There remains, however, much that is quite some remove from the cutting edge. (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12004/12004-h/12004-h.htm#FNanchor11 http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12004/12004-h/12004-h.htm#FNa...) In the technology adoption lifecycle, high tech are innovators. An early-adopter firm is itself still not high tech itself. (Previously: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22884971 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22884971)
gonzo41 6y ago
Yes, Netflix is a tech company. Eventually all companies that are enabled by technology and software become tech companies. Even banking is becoming a tech industry.

dredmorbius 6y ago

I'd suggest the OECD definition: Hatzichronoglou, Thomas: "Revision of the High-Technology Sector and Product Classification", OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, No. 1997/02, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/revision-of-the-high-technology-sector-and-product-classification_134337307632 https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/revisi... Page 7 specifically divides manufacturing industries (it doesn't address services) into four technology levels, high, medium-high, medium low, and low: High technology: Aerospace, computers, office machinery, electronics-communications, pharmaceuticals. Medium-high technology: Scientific instruments, motor vehicles, electrical machinery, chemicals, other transport equipment, non-electrical machinery. Medium-low technoogy: Rubber and plastic products, shipbuilding, other manufacturing, non-ferrous metals, non-metallic mineral products, fabricated metal products, petroleum refining, ferrous metals. Low-technology: Paper printing, textiles and clothing, food, beverages, and tabacco, wood and furniture. Given J.S. Mill's wonderful definition of technology, 'the study of effects", there's little in human activity which is completely atechnological. There remains, however, much that is quite some remove from the cutting edge. (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12004/12004-h/12004-h.htm#FNanchor11 http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12004/12004-h/12004-h.htm#FNa...) In the technology adoption lifecycle, high tech are innovators. An early-adopter firm is itself still not high tech itself. (Previously: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22884971 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22884971)

gonzo41 6y ago

Yes, Netflix is a tech company. Eventually all companies that are enabled by technology and software become tech companies. Even banking is becoming a tech industry.