Final answer:
The pace of technology adoption is accelerating due to rapid advancements in industries such as biotechnology and semiconductor design, leading to the shortening of product life spans and increased innovation and communication capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question posed pertains to how the pace of technology adoption is speeding up. In our modern society, innovations in technology are occurring at an unprecedented rate, outpacing the speed at which individuals and society as a whole can adapt. This phenomenon can be seen in high-technology industries such as biotechnology and semiconductor design, where the rapid advancement of technology makes patents almost obsolete shortly after they are issued.
One reason for this acceleration in adoption is the intentional development of products with short life spans by manufacturers, compelling consumers to update their technology more frequently. Additionally, the improvements in communication and the efficiency of data processing have significantly increased the ability of firms, governments, and individuals to innovate and adopt new technologies quickly.
Examples like the comparison of the capabilities of the Voyager I spacecraft to a modern smartphone illustrate just how far technology has advanced in a relatively short period. This swift technological evolution challenges our ability to adopt and regulate these advances in a well-informed and judicious manner.