Monday, September 23, 2024

Things Getting Cheaper

Sequencing a human genome, $95 million in 2001 to $200 in 2023.

Utility-scale batteries, down 90% in fifteen years.

One gigaflop of computing power.

Solar photovoltaic power. 
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1 comment:

  1. G. VerlorenSeptember 23, 2024 at 11:30 PM

    Price drops for industrial-scale technologies that are good for society on a macro level are great, but they're still hard to care about when basic necessities keep spiraling upwards year after year.

    I'm reminded of a spoken word piece from 1970, by Gil Scott-Heron:

    A rat done bit my sister Nell
    (with Whitey on the Moon)
    Her face and arms began to swell
    (and Whitey's on the Moon)

    I can't pay no doctor bills
    (but Whitey's on the Moon)
    Ten years from now I'll be paying still
    (while Whitey's on the Moon)

    You know, the man just upped my rest last night
    (cause Whitey's on the Moon)
    No hot water, no toilets, no lights
    (but Whitey's on the Moon)

    I wonder why he's upping me?
    (cause Whitey's on the Moon?)
    Well I was already giving him fifty a week
    (and now Whitey's on the Moon)

    Taxes takin' my whole damn check
    The junkies make me a nervous wreck
    The price of food is going up
    And as if all of that crap wasn't enough

    A rat done bit my sister Nell
    (with Whitey on the Moon)
    Her face and arms began to swell
    (and Whitey's on the Moon)

    With all that money I made last year
    (for Whitey on the Moon)
    How come I ain't got no money here?
    (hrmm, Whitey's on the moon)

    You know, I just about had my fill
    (of Whitey on the Moon)
    I think I'll send these doctor bills
    Air Mail Special
    To Whitey on the Moon

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