All those ideas seemed great but disappeared as fast as they showed up. The rapid pace of technological innovation has spawned an outburst of verbal gymnastics on how to cope with rapid changes. In an era where knowledge and vaporware are peddled like detergent, the purveyors of ideas need not produce any proofs of novelty or value. Proponents of a new buzzword can rarely, if ever, show verifiable benefits.
Some buzzwords are just new spins on old ideas.
Likewise, the latest ballyhoo about digital nervous systems is nothing but advertiser-speak about systems integration. Buzzword-itis is cheap and easy to spread. The manufacturing cost of new buzzwords is negligible, as is their distribution cost. Book reviewers, journalists and particularly consultants are always looking for a new twist and will readily spread the word. Punchy phrases such as failure-proof computing or ready, fire, aim planning are worth a lot of money on the lecture circuit and at consulting engagements.