In the world of technology, being the best doesn’t always mean you’ll win. History contains examples where superior tech lost out to more accessible, affordable, or well-marketed alternatives. It’s a phenomenon often called the “Betamax effect,” where the better product gets left behind for reasons that have little to do with its technical merits.
Take the classic Betamax vs. VHS battle. Betamax had better video quality, but VHS offered longer recording times and a more aggressive licensing strategy. The result? VHS dominated the market, while Betamax faded into obscurity.
Another example is the QWERTY keyboard. It’s inefficient compared to the Dvorak layout, which was designed to reduce finger movement and increase typing speed. Yet, QWERTY became the standard—thanks to its early widespread adoption—making it nearly impossible for the technically superior Dvorak to break through.
Even modern examples show that better tech doesn’t always win. Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: both formats offered high-definition video, but Blu-ray came out on top, largely due to stronger backing from major studios and better marketing. The technology was similar, but Blu-ray had the momentum.
Then there’s Windows vs. Macintosh. Early Macs were often considered more user-friendly and innovative, but Windows’ business partnerships and affordability gave it a much larger slice of the market. Microsoft won, not because of better design but because of better distribution and pricing.
I think we’re seeing the same situation between decentralized social media protocols like Farcaster and centralized giants like X. While Farcaster offers innovative features like in-frame purchasing and censorship resistance, they often miss key opportunities to engage users in meaningful ways. In contrast, centralized platforms like X succeed by focusing on simplicity and delivering what users need at scale.
These cases highlight a simple truth: adoption is driven by more than just being technically superior. Things like network effects, pricing, market timing, and partnerships can make or break a product.
Sometimes, being better helps, but it’s not enough on its own. In the end, the market just doesn’t always care.
