technological-diffusion
The process by which new technologies spread across populations and geographies, often accelerating over time.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma (2023)Mustafa Suleyman; Michael Bhaskar
Chapter 2, 'Endless Proliferation,' explores the historical and ongoing acceleration of technological development and diffusion, emphasizing how general-purpose technologies like the internal combustion engine and electricity have transformed societies. It highlights the interplay between scientific discovery and technological innovation, the role of population size and connectivity in fostering innovation, and the exponential growth in production and improvement rates of technologies such as computers and transistors. The chapter situates technological proliferation within broader economic and social contexts, referencing key scholars and theories on technological waves and transformations.