[spiraldancing]

2% is exponential growth; 1% is still exponential growth. Decrease from 2% to 1% is a decrease in the rate of growth, which still remains exponential.

[atemerev]

(Sigh).

Look at the linear function. It experiences "decrease in the rate of growth" along the line.

If the exponent is not constant, we do not have "exponential growth" anymore — by definition.