Chapter 2

Question 1

What is the hype cycle for emerging tech?

Answer 1

The hype cycle for emerging tech is a model developed by research and advisory firm Gartner that represents the maturity and adoption of new technologies over time.

The model consists of five stages: the innovation trigger, the peak of inflated expectations, the trough of disillusionment, the slope of enlightenment, and the plateau of productivity.

Question 2

What is the innovation trigger?

Answer 2

The innovation trigger is the first stage of the hype cycle, where a new technology is introduced and generates excitement and interest among early adopters and innovators.

Question 3

What is the peak of inflated expectations?

Answer 3

The peak of inflated expectations is the second stage of the hype cycle, where the technology generates a lot of hype and attention, and expectations for its potential are at their highest.

Question 4

What is the trough of disillusionment?

Answer 4

The trough of disillusionment is the third stage of the hype cycle, where the technology fails to meet the inflated expectations set in the previous stage, and interest and investment in the technology decline.

Question 5

What is the slope of enlightenment?

Answer 5

The slope of enlightenment is the fourth stage of the hype cycle, where the technology begins to mature and solve the problems that caused disillusionment in the previous stage. As a result, interest in the technology begins to pick up again, and more practical and successful use cases emerge.

Question 6

What is the plateau of productivity?

Answer 6

The plateau of productivity is the fifth and final stage of the hype cycle, where the technology has reached widespread adoption and its full potential is being realized. The technology becomes a mainstream tool for solving business problems and improving productivity.

Question 7

Can you give an example of a technology that has gone through the hype cycle?

Answer 7

One example of a technology that has gone through the hype cycle is virtual reality (VR). VR was introduced in the 1990s and generated a lot of excitement, but failed to meet the high expectations set at the time. It went through a long period of disillusionment until the early 2010s, when new VR technology emerged and practical applications began to be developed.

Now, VR is in the slope of enlightenment stage, with more successful use cases being developed and wider adoption among consumers and businesses.

Question 8

What is a Disruptive Technology?

Answer 8

Disruptive technology is the technology that affects the normal operation of a market or an industry. It displaces a well-established product or technology, creating a new industry or market.

Question 9

What is disruptive innovation?

Answer 9

Disruptive innovation is a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen to describe a new technology or business model that disrupts and displaces an existing market or industry.

Question 10

What are the two types of disruptive innovation?

Answer 10

The two types of disruptive innovation are new market disruption and low-end disruption.

Question 11

What is new market disruption?

Answer 11

New market disruption occurs when a new technology or business model creates a new market that was previously nonexistent or underserved. This type of disruption is often driven by new customer needs, preferences, or behaviors that are not being met by existing solutions.

Question 12

What is low-end disruption?

Answer 12

Low-end disruption occurs when a new technology or business model targets the low-end segment of an existing market that is being served by established players.

The new technology or business model may be simpler, cheaper, or more convenient than the existing solutions, and may initially appeal to customers who are less demanding or have lower budgets.

Question 13

Can you give an example of each type of disruptive innovation?

Answer 13

One example of new market disruption is Airbnb, which created a new market for peer-to-peer short-term lodging rentals that was not being served by the traditional hotel industry.

One example of low-end disruption is the rise of budget airlines like Southwest and Ryanair, which disrupted the airline industry by offering cheaper, no-frills flights that appealed to price-sensitive travelers who were willing to sacrifice amenities for lower fares.

Question 14

What is free software?

Answer 14

Free software refers to software that users can access, use, modify, and distribute freely, without any restrictions or limitations imposed by copyright or other legal barriers. The term “free” refers to the freedom to use, not necessarily the price.

Question 15

What is open source software?

Answer 15

Open source software is software whose source code is available to the public, and can be freely modified, distributed, and used by anyone, subject to the terms of a specific license. The term “open source” refers to the transparency and accessibility of the source code, not necessarily the freedom to use or distribute the software.

Question 16

What are the differences between free software and open source software?

Answer 16

While free software and open source software share many similarities, the key difference is in their respective philosophies. Free software emphasizes the importance of user freedom and autonomy, while open source software emphasizes the practical benefits of open development and collaboration. Free software also places more emphasis on ethical and political issues surrounding software, such as the role of intellectual property and the need for software to serve the public good.

Question 17

What are the four freedoms of free software?

Answer 17

The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose (freedom 0)

The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish (freedom 1)

The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others (freedom )

The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3)

Question 18

What is blockchain?

Answer 18

Blockchain is a decentralized, digital ledger system that records transactions in a secure, transparent, and tamper-proof way. It is maintained by a network of computers that collectively validate and record transactions, making it difficult to alter or manipulate the data stored on the blockchain.

Question 19

How does blockchain ensure software system integrity?

Answer 19

Blockchain can ensure software system integrity by providing a tamper-proof record of software development and deployment activities. By recording these activities on the blockchain, developers and users can have confidence that the software has not been modified or compromised in any way.

Question 20

What are some potential benefits of using blockchain for software system integrity?

Answer 20

Increased transparency and accountability in software development and deployment processes.

Improved security and resistance to tampering or hacking attempts.

Greater trust and confidence in software systems, particularly in mission-critical applications.

Reduced risk of software defects and vulnerabilities, leading to fewer system crashes and security breaches.

Enhanced traceability and auditability of software activities, making it easier to identify and resolve issues when they arise.

Question 21

What is a DAO?

Answer 21

A DAO, or Decentralized Autonomous Organization, is a type of organization that operates using blockchain technology and smart contracts. It is run by a group of stakeholders who make decisions collectively, using a decentralized governance structure.

Question 22

How does a DAO differ from a traditional organization?

Answer 22

A DAO differs from a traditional organization in several ways:

Decentralization: A DAO is decentralized, meaning that it is not controlled by a central authority or individual. Instead, decision-making is distributed among stakeholders, who vote on proposals using a consensus mechanism.

Transparency: Because a DAO operates on a blockchain, all transactions and decisions are recorded on a public ledger, providing greater transparency and accountability.

Automation: A DAO is run by smart contracts, which are self-executing code that automate certain functions, such as voting, fund allocation, and member management.

Flexibility: A DAO can be created and operate across borders, without being subject to the legal and regulatory frameworks of any one jurisdiction.

Question 23

What is the metaverse?

Answer 23

The metaverse is a term used to describe a virtual world that is an extension of the physical world. It is a collective virtual shared space that is created by the convergence of multiple virtual and augmented reality technologies.