Mark,

You are correct that here is a lot of specificity that needs to be articulated on what the curve means. And you are right that it is not true exponential growth curve. Indeed, when you zoom in on it, it is not, straight exponential growth curve at all. (Actually, if you look again at the powerpoint of Chaisson's work<https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Evolution-Rise-Complexity-Nature/dp/0674009878>, second graph underneath, you will see that point, although it is easy to overlook). If we zoom in on the changes, we see a graph more like this the following depiction (the last 500 years setting the stage for our current meta-cultural/5th joint point/Digital Life revolution).
[cid:image005.png@01D43E05.8DB51340]

I think this is consistent with what the attached paper on S curves was getting at, when it concluded that it hoped to help folks "to see historical developments in terms of relatively quiet periods separated by fairly radical transitions".

Best,
Gregg
[cid:image006.png@01D43E05.8DB51340]


############################

To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1