Comment by ForHackernews
1 day ago
At the risk of arguing about semantics (and not interesting database semantics) it seems half the commenters here think "deep tech" just means "like, technology you go really super DEEP into, like really dig into that DEEP DEEP HARDCORE TECHNOLOGY"
but that's not what this term has historically meant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_tech
> Deep tech innovations are often radical and may create new markets or disrupt existing ones. Deep tech companies often address big societal and environmental challenges and have potential to impact everyday life. Silicon chips are an example of innovation that enabled calculation at previously unimaginable speed and scale.
Database research is good, important, critical, even! But it's not creating something new that has never existed before. It's not inventing the transistor or the integrated circuit.
>> It's not inventing the transistor or the integrated circuit.
Integrated circuit on its own isn't doing anything unless used for something. Better chips enable more use-cases, more electronics etc etc. Databases in similar way are enabling more applications for users. None of the apps or services we reliably use everyday at the scale (e.g. Google Search, Online shopping, Messaging) would not exist without solid storage software.
> Integrated circuit on its own isn't doing anything unless used for something
YES! YES EXACTLY!
That's part of what makes things like ICs "deep tech" - they are transformative innovations that have no immediate application so they need government or a very well-funded far-thinking private org (e.g. Bell Labs) to bring them into being. They are not like making a new, better database.
You have just reiterated my point very concisely, so thank you.
I don't think I did reiterate your point. You were saying unlike ICs, databases -- "But it's not creating something new that has never existed before".
The point I was making was like newer/better ICs pave way for new electronics/use-cases; so do better databases/storage software pave way for more new applications that wouldn't have existed before.