Passage Five
Mass production, the defining characteristic of the Second Wave economy, becomes increasingly obsolete as firms install information intensive, often robotized manufacturing systems capable of endless cheap variation, even customization. The revolutionary result is, in effect, the de-massification of mass production.
The shift toward smart flex-techs promotes diversity and feeds consumer choice to the point that a Wal-Mart store can offer the buyer nearly 110,000 products in various types, sizes, models and colors to choose among. But Wal-Mart is a mass merchandiser. Increasingly, the mass market itself is breaking up into differentiated niches as customer needs diverge and better information makes it possible for businesses to identify and serve micro-markets.
Specialty stores, boutiques, superstores, TV home-shopping systems, computer based buying, direct mail and other systems provide a growing diversity of channels through which prod
A. As examples of breakup of mass audiences
B. In comparison with Tele-communications, Inc. of Denver
C. To show their capability of providing lots of channels
D. To present their prosperity in advertising among viewers
Energy will be one of the defining issues of this century. One thing is clear: the era of easy oil is over. What we all do next will (1) how well we meet the energy needs of the entire world in this century and (2) .
Demand is (3) like never before. As populations grow and economies take (4) millions in the developing world are enjoying the (5) of a lifestyle that requires increasing amounts of energy. (6) , some say that in 20 years the world will (7) 40% more oil and gas fields are maturing. And new energy (8) are mainly occurring in places where resources are difficult to (9) , physically, economically and even politically. When growing demand meets tighter supplies, the result is more (10) for the same resources.
We can wait (11) a crisis forces us to do something. Or we can (12) to working together, and start by asking the tough questions: How do we meet the energy needs of th
A. until
B. when
C. after
D. before
我来回答: