That's a fun metaphor. I don't think it's _literally_ true :)
Adding software got easy because development evolved, and supply
exceeded demand. The "Internet of Trash" is my go-to example. Modern
engineering got so good, and we're surrounded by so much efficient,
durable technology that manufacturers ran out of ways to add
value. So they started figuring out how to:
1) add internet connectivity whether it's wanted or not
2) control and break things using software
3) extract profitable data from users
All of these just kick the can down the road toward more solutionism
without really innovating in the original engineering domain.
Adding software got easy because development evolved, and supply exceeded demand. The "Internet of Trash" is my go-to example. Modern engineering got so good, and we're surrounded by so much efficient, durable technology that manufacturers ran out of ways to add value. So they started figuring out how to:
1) add internet connectivity whether it's wanted or not
2) control and break things using software
3) extract profitable data from users
All of these just kick the can down the road toward more solutionism without really innovating in the original engineering domain.