Such constant fluctuation remains the extreme, but we are all becoming accustomed to a world, in business and otherwise, in which connectivity-driven change is nearly continuous. It's reflected in spot pricing, once the arcane domain of oil traders and other commodity traders, and now a part of everybody's life. It's almost bad etiquette these days to ask the person next to you on an airline what he paid for his seat. The carriers change prices faster than you can figure out whether to even make the trip. Only those willing to pay a premium for the intangible value of complete flexibility pay full sticker price.
Continuous measurement is the way manufacturers control machinery.
Since the 1970s, they have been installing real-time measurement and control systems to increase productivity and quality and to reduce labor costs. This same logic is inching into the intangible sector. Programmed trading and various circuit breakers are sensing devices. But they are reactive and limited. If we could install continual measurement and control systems in the intangible parts of our business, then we would also benefit from speed of reaction, improved quality and greater productivity.