The World of Bits vs the World of Atoms

Over the last 50 years, economic progress in the physical world, or 'atoms', has been largely stagnant, while significant advancements in the digital realm, or 'bits', have taken place. Technology, once encompassing various fields including aerospace and medicine, has shifted focus predominantly to information technology, limiting the scope of what is deemed as technological progress. This narrow definition of technology underscores a disparity where advancements in physical infrastructure, such as transportation and agriculture, have plateaued or even regressed, resulting in slower movement and increased inefficiencies compared to previous decades. As individuals become increasingly absorbed in digital devices, the stagnation of their physical environments often goes unnoticed, highlighting a crucial imbalance between the realms of bits and atoms. Ultimately, the physical world remains essential for human existence, whereby its stagnation raises significant concerns about overall progress and quality of life.