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1401 points alankay | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source

This request originated via recent discussions on HN, and the forming of HARC! at YC Research. I'll be around for most of the day today (though the early evening).
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jsprogrammer ◴[] No.11940813[source]
You say the problem with Xerox is that they were only interested in billions (instead of trillions).

Should we currently be interested in quadrillions, upper trillions, or, perhaps, larger? Once we become interested in an appropriately large number, what preparations should we be taking so that we can operate at that level? Do we just start putting product out there and collect the value on the open markets, or, do we need to segment markets to maximize value? Can you tell us about any other mistakes you feel Xerox might have made in realizing the value of PARC?

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alankay1 ◴[] No.11946478[source]
That was a metaphorical hyperbole to attract the attention of people who think in terms of money rather than in "basic improvements to the world".

The idea is that "qualitatively changing the context in a powerful way" trivially creates enormous potential for everything (including making money).

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jsprogrammer ◴[] No.11947640[source]
I don't think it was hyperbole and I am being 100% serious. You make a good case that PARC contributed $35+ trillion in value, of which Xerox was only able to capture a portion.

If we extrapolate out an exponential trend from forty years ago, a quadrillion seems like it might be about right. If I'm doing my math correctly, it is only about $100k value/person. Companies will soon be doing $1 trillion in annual revenue, so an 1000x multiplier doesn't seem out of question.

I guess my question is: what needs to be done to realize, operate, and maintain the enormous potential? But, maybe it is just something that happens as a result of the changes?

replies(1): >>11948692 #
alankay1 ◴[] No.11948692{3}[source]
I don't dispute the figure, but in most cases when I say that phrase I'm trying to be hyperbolic to make a different point
replies(1): >>11951762 #
jsprogrammer ◴[] No.11951762{4}[source]
Maybe we can talk about ways context should be changed?

I still don't walk into a store with my phone and then quickly walk out with exactly those items I predetermined. Occasionally I will use my phone as a list, but a small piece of paper is easier to reference while in the store. I don't ever see anyone else doing any better and most never use their phone or any other device.

I think this means that we do not yet have true personal computers.

What might be the most important context to change/solve?

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1. alankay1 ◴[] No.11953078{5}[source]
Most of what is between most people's ears