Dear Jeff Atwood –
One could not be more wrong if one were to say something like “I think we’re way past the point of satisfying the computing performance needs of the typical user”.
The words “lack of vision” and “imagination-less” come to mind.
Come on, man-- Really!!! You, of all people, said that?
No, I am not going to argue the point because the chasm between your view and mine is just so wide on this matter, well, it is just going to have to be another grand statement from my view to counter yours.
OK, so here’s one-- It is WAY more likely than not that the computing power of machines will never be sufficient for the needs of humans.
Humans have virtually limitless potential and, inasmuch as computers can serve that potential (and it can), the role of computer is virtually limitless-- which means we are likely to always benefit from faster, smaller, better, smarter, computers at-large.
BTW, the “death of PC” is an old red-herring-- it has been Larry Ellison’s battle-cry for a long time… http://news.cnet.com/ellison-resurrects-network-computer/2100-1001_3-233137.html …and guess what?
Happy trails.