Knowledge multiplication

Recent news (1) that physicists have been successful in conceiving a working transistor from a single phosphorous atom move us closer to a technology step function change, higher than the computer itself. Last few decades have been devoid of fundamental changes – both in theory and practice - and this is clearly reflected in the declining economics of the present generation. However, if computing can be fundamentally rewritten, not just in incrementally doubling speed in every 18 months, but rather redefining what it is all about, it may finally draw the curtains on the dark ages of technology incrementalism.

It is not the speed of computing that has held humans back from the next generation insights – it has been computing itself. Computers have exposed an inherent human weakness of attempting to make things bigger and faster so that they can conduct status-quo at higher scale and speed. Not many ask if running faster on bigger tracks is better if the destination is not any different. This is because most of the contemporary accomplishments focus on the process and not on the results. This is to be expected as the last 50 years have been the golden era of engineering and medicine – with an equal proclivity to think process and not fundamental leaps.

This may be changing. The time has come to leave the comfort of determinism and move boldly into a regime, in which knowledge – not the speed of computers – multiplies every 18 months. Without that, we are still progressive ants, who build better sand structures every year and find ways to keep themselves running a few days more.

Physicists Create a Working Transistor From a Single Atom By JOHN MARKOFF Published: February 19, 2012, NY Times