Exactly. It isn’t a dichotomy between flat step segments punctuated with spikes vs pure linear growth (where someone else has taken the spike hits for you). I

Exactly. It isn’t a dichotomy between flat step segments punctuated with spikes vs pure linear growth (where someone else has taken the spike hits for you). It is linear growth segments punctuated with spikes, vs. raised linear growth without spikes. In practice, spikes won’t be completely eliminated. Even with the most seamless cloud solutions, some rearchitecting is likely. Also, I interpret the cost graphs as measuring the combined effort, time & risk costs. I.e. spikes represent both predictable & unpredicted efforts and delays. The delays perhaps being the best reason to pay (linearly) more per capacity, since delays negatively impact (ideally super linear) business growth.