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About this quote

What does it mean?
Sterling compares old technology to obsolete items on the street, asking if anyone would pick it up.
In plain terms
Old tech like Windows 3.0 is as useless as trash on the sidewalk.
What can you take from it?
Technology quickly becomes obsolete and worthless to most users.

Where it applies

  • tech history
  • product lifecycle
  • modern critique

Putting it to work

  • evaluate tech lifespan
  • plan software upgrades
  • discuss obsolescence

Questions to consider

  • When does tech become truly obsolete?
  • How do we value old tools?

Another view

The analogy assumes all users view old tech as worthless.

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