[jgroch]

Maybe it shouldn't be that surprising that most of the big ideas seem to be behind us in computing. Automobiles have been fundamentally the same for decades (speaking broadly). It could be that new areas of technology are more like explorers finding new lands. The newer finds don't tend to be as big within that area after a while.

Coincidentally, Freeman Dyson recently said that physics has been undergoing such a slowing down. (His daughter was mentioned in the article). He also mentioned that the field of biology is speeding up. (Link to his Charlie Rose interview http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10560 (doesn't go into much detail concerning the given point, but it is Freeman Dyson.)