Technology Stalled?

http://www.technologyreview.com/qa/530901/technology-stalled-in-1970/

What I liked about this article most was the sentiment that there is a bias against taking the significant risks required to really push things to the next level. For the last number of years I have felt somewhat held back to really explore what seem to be quite deep and promising ideas. Admittedly, following those trails could lead to failure, but it seems well worth the risk given possible outcomes.

Incremental approaches do seem very wise. I don't want to knock incremental progress. But I think Peter Thiel is on to something here.

One theory is that as the world becomes more and more factored towards a "winner takes all" context, the more it makes sense to take big risks that have enormous potential payoffs. Conversely, the less it makes sense to have a bunch of conservative companies all making tepid incremental progress.