[titzer]

I'd argue that what we're seeing is both a centralization of computational infrastructure as well as a massive infiltration of everyday life with digital (computational) technology, often for no good reason other than it's a way to make money. We certainly have not stagnated w.r.t. to hardware or software, but just keep trying to scale to the stars. I'm cynical in that I believe the "AI first" movement is basically offloading the next phase of computational progress on computers themselves, because we either too tired or ran out of ideas or can't keep up, or it's necessary as a competitive business strategy, or it's simply cheaper.

Technology keeps giving people nice gizmos and plenty of flashy entertainment, but it's mostly self-serving, technology begetting yet more technology without clear purpose, as evidenced by stupid shit like Bluetooth toothbrushes (https://www.lookfantastic.de/oral-b-pro4000-x-action-toothbr...) and the insane number of cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes. Toothbrushes that need a freaking network connection and bits worth absolutely nothing. The crescendo of our civilization! Well done. If there's an overmind, it's feeding us shit.

(Sorry again, I'm cynical.)