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xyzzy12310/01/20246 repliesview on HN

I feel like the framing in the article is wrong. Tech startups are desperately searching for solutions that will generate value.

When a "new hammer" is developed or discovered (lets say, radiation) there's a natural inflection point. People will try marketing radioactive medicines, radioactive soft drinks, radioactive toys, radioactive jewelry.... etc etc. Everything will be thrown at the wall to see what sticks. There's no broader intellectual movement in play.

This process is more like "product darwinism" than technological determinism.


Replies

thaumasiotes10/01/2024

> When a "new hammer" is developed or discovered (lets say, radiation) there's a natural inflection point. People will try marketing radioactive medicines, radioactive soft drinks, radioactive toys, radioactive jewelry.... etc etc.

Have you read anything from the early 20th century? This is a noticeable theme in e.g. stories set in the mythos of Conan the Barbarian or the Wizard of Oz. "Radium" is treated as essentially a form of magic.

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croes10/01/2024

You mean

Tech startups are desperately searching for buzz words that will generate profit.

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nitwit00510/01/2024

Funding, both from governments and investors, also tends to chase after trends, so people's proposals will reflect that.

I wish there was some deeper thought or philosophy behind it, but that clearly isn't always the case.

vismit200010/02/2024

Reminds of hammer factory: https://factoryfactoryfactory.net/

saturn860110/01/2024

That sounds like the what I am seeing in the consumer packaged goods industry. In desperation of growth they are throwing everything at the wall.

ex: that 'flamin hot' thing took off and post pandemic they put it in everything including soda and ice cream. Lets not forget every merchandising opportunity under the sun.

show 1 reply
consf10/01/2024

Tech startups are finding what actually works in the market