Wired UK

Issue 2.08 - August 1996

"Old growth theory says we have to decide how to allocate scarce resources among alternative uses. New growth theory says, 'Bullshit!' We're in this world, it's got some objects, sure, but it's got these ideas, too, and all that stuff about scarcity and price systems is just wrong."

-Economist Paul Romer

 Features

The Egos at id

The made Doom, the most popular computer game of all time. Marc Laidlaw asks whether they can do it again with Quake.

The Economics of Ideas

According to economist Paul Romer, the world is a playground of nearly unbounded opportunity, where new ideas beget new products, new markets and new possiblities to create wealth. By Kevin Kelly

Shelf Consciousness

In a world of generic PCs, design counts. Just ask Bob Brunner, who transformed the look of the laptop with the original Apple Powerbook. By Phil Patton

How to Make a Soul

Some matter is aware of itself. Most isn't. Andrew Brown joins a thousand thinkers wondering why this is so - and hears the sound of one hand clapping.

The Buck Starts Here

Will nanobucks be the next big thing, or are we just talking pocket change? By Tom Steinert-Threlkeld

From Extravaganza to Intimacy

Jean-Michel Jarre has used whole cities as stags. Now he wants your bathroom. By Sean Geer

Osmose

Char Davies's Osmose has left people weeping or entranced; it took away one person's fear of death. Erik Davis asks if this virtual-reality installation is a real work of art.

The Relentless Contrarian

At 86, Peter Drucker remains the most astute observer of modern corporate society. Maybe society, period. A cantankerous interview with Peter Schwartz and Kevin Kelly.


 Departments

Cortex

John Major's Trustworthiness, Asia's Internet, Cybernoses and other news


In Vitro

Fastsaves and Saving the Whale

How Strange the Change...


Abacus

Who's What on the Web


Idées Fortes

Regulation's Silver Lining

Archimedia


Fetish

Technolust

Space Hopper

What matters on the Web

Geek Page

Intelligent RAM

Nicholas Negroponte

Building Better Back Channels