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This comment thread started when you pushed back against someone who said: > when it comes right down to core "mind blowing" new tech, how much have we actuall

by ctoth 4y ago

This comment thread started when you pushed back against someone who said: > when it comes right down to core "mind blowing" new tech, how much have we actually improved on 1994? You provided examples of core ideas that you thought did not exist in 1994, I showed you how several of them absolutely did. If I had to make a list of core technologies that didn't exist in 1994, it might consist of things like CRISPR-Cas9, deep neural networks, electronic cigarettes, self-driving cars, personalized genetics, artificial meat. Stuff that had either not been conceived of or required technology that didn't exist at the time. Even then, you can find precursors to all of those things since tech development is path-dependent. But seriously, dynamic websites and online social communities and the like existed then :) As for smartphones there's a pretty clear lineage that includes early bag phones, pagers, primitive handhelds, Nokia bricks, The Danger Hiptop/Sidekick, Blackberry, and so on. Check out this ad campaign from 1993[0]: [0]: AT&T - 1993 "You Will" Ad Campaign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZ-667CEdo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZ-667CEdo

prng2021 4y ago
Of course there’s a precursor to all technologies. Of course smart phones have a clear lineage. Of course everything in existence has a precursor and lineage. I stand by everything in my original reply. The modern video conferencing tools, collaboration tools, dynamic websites, etc absolutely could not have been made with 1994 technology. I remember that time period well and there were so many revolutionary technologies and ideas missing. With all the knowledge you have today, could you go back to 1994 and recreate a Facebook or YouTube, serving 1B+ users with real-time interactivity using CGI and Berkeley sockets? No, that’s just laughably absurd.

by ctoth 4y ago

prng2021 4y ago

Of course there’s a precursor to all technologies. Of course smart phones have a clear lineage. Of course everything in existence has a precursor and lineage. I stand by everything in my original reply. The modern video conferencing tools, collaboration tools, dynamic websites, etc absolutely could not have been made with 1994 technology. I remember that time period well and there were so many revolutionary technologies and ideas missing. With all the knowledge you have today, could you go back to 1994 and recreate a Facebook or YouTube, serving 1B+ users with real-time interactivity using CGI and Berkeley sockets? No, that’s just laughably absurd.