ACTIVITY 13 PARAPHRASE
Analysis of Jeff Bezos's Electricity Metaphor
Possible Meanings
Adoption: The speaker compares the early days of electricity to the internet to show that even
today, we are still trying to figure out how to use the internet's potential fully. Similar to how
companies in the early 20th century were trying to figure out how to utilize electricity, so are
today's businesses in figuring out how to creatively and innovatively use the internet.
Innovation and adaptation: Just as in the early days when innovation was found by those who
took the initiative to experiment the electricity and found ways to use it, even in today's world,
entrepreneurs should take the initiative and try to come up with new ways to utilize the internet
to their advantage.
Implications
The metaphor implies that the internet will unfold more advantages with time, and therefore,
businesses should focus on long-term perspectives. It also encourages entrepreneurs not to be
afraid to experiment. Lastly, the metaphor suggests that just like electricity, the internet will
continue to evolve for increased productivity.
Connections to the Context
By using the electricity metaphor, Bezos calls upon business people to constantly take advantage
of the internet to their advantage as it will continue to eveolve as days go by.
