Ruling the Waves: Cycles of Discovery, Chaos, and Wealth from the Compass to the Internet This fantastic looking book has been suggested by Tim Ryan. It was originally published in 2001 and I managed to find a review from the Technology Liberation Front.
I’ve actually gotten carried away by her other books. Pirates Prophets & Pioneers: Business and Politics Along the Technological Frontier looks fantastic! as does her most recent book - Work, Mate, Marry, Love: How machines shape our human destiny. An interview about the latter here
Debora Spar’s Ruling the Waves: Cycles of Discovery, Chaos, and Wealth from the Compass to the Internet examines recurring patterns in technological revolutions to predict how rules for future industries might unfold[1]. Spar argues that industries and technologies go through four predictable phases: Innovation, Commercialization, Creative Anarchy, and Rules[1][7]. These rules include property rights, contracts, intellectual property, and industry standards, all of which shape the development of industries and technologies[1].
The Four Phases:
- Innovation: This initial phase involves experimentation, invention, and discovery, with no established rules[1].
- Commercialization: Pioneers, pirates, marshals, and outlaws define the new territory, leading to extraordinary profits and speculative investments in the absence of rules[1].
- Creative Anarchy: The technology matures rapidly, leading to competition and a struggle for survival among players. Established pioneers seek order and market control, raising questions about rules and property rights[1].
- Rules: The industry begins to demand rules to govern its development, often inviting authority back in. These rules can include well-defined property rights, contractual enforcement, intellectual property laws, and regulation[1].
Spar illustrates these phases using historical case studies such as shipping, the telegraph, radio broadcasting, satellite television, encryption, and online music[1][6]. The book suggests that understanding these patterns can provide insights into the evolution of the internet sector and the establishment of rules for cyberspace[1].
Citations:
[1] What We’re Reading: Debora Spar’s “Ruling the Waves”
[2] Ruling the Waves - Debora Spar
[3] Ruling the Waves: Cycles of Discovery, Chaos, and Wealth from the Compass to the Internet | Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
[4] Ruling the Waves: Business and Politics along the Technological Frontier - Research Summary - Faculty & Research - Harvard Business School
[5] https://www.harpercollins.com/products/ruling-the-waves-debora-l-spar
[6] Ruling the waves : cycles of discovery, chaos, and wealth from the compass to the Internet / Debora L.... - Catalogue | National Library of Australia
[7] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234789350_Ruling_the_Waves_Cycles_of_Discovery_Chaos_and_Wealth_from_the_Compass_to_the_Internet
[8] EBSCO Locate