评论
打印
Whether we examine distances traveled, altitudes reached, or minerals mined, the same accelerative trend is obvious. The pattern, here and in a thousand other statistical series, is absolutely clear and unmistakable. Thousands of years go by, and then, in our own times, a sudden bursting of the limits, a fantastic spurt forward.
我们无论是考察旅行的距离、达到的高度，还是考察矿产的开采，这样一种加速的趋向都是显而易见的。这里，以及其它上千种的系统的统计资料里，都明白无误地呈现出这种模式。数千年过去了，然后，到了我们的时代，一切极限突然统统被打破，出现了不可思议的突飞猛进。
The reason for this is that technology feeds on itself. Technology makes more technology possible, as we can see if we look for a moment at the process of innovation. Technological innovation consists of three stages, linked together into a self-reinforcing cycle. First, there is the creative, feasible idea. Second, its practical application. Third, its diffusion through society.
这一情况的出现，其原因在于技术自身的扶植作用。现有的技术使得更多的技术得以实现。只要我们稍许看一看革新的过程，就会一目了然。技术革新包含三个阶段，它们连在一起形成一个自我强化的循环。首先是一个创造性的可行的想法。其二是它的实际应用。第三，是它在社会上的推广。
The process is completed, the loop closed, when the diffusion of technology embodying the new idea, in turn, helps generate new creative ideas. Today there is evidence that the time between each of the steps in this cycle has been shortened.
当体现这一新思想的技术推广反过来帮助产生新的创造性思想的时候，这一过程就完成了，这个循环也就结束了。今天，有证据表明，这一循环的每一个步骤之间的时间已经缩短了。
