上世纪90年代的科技繁荣时期，我们都以为世界会就此改变。但有意思的是：实体企业并没有就此淡出历史舞台，而是与电子企业快乐地共存了许多年。例如美国的图书零售商鲍德斯公司（Borders）虽然面临来自亚马逊（Amazon）的竞争，但它在2000至2005年间的销量却上升了。不过现在看来，这种日子似乎就要结束了。如今，电子企业规模庞大，增长迅猛，正在将传统型企业“拍死在沙滩上”。下面的四个例子可见一斑：美国邮政（U.S. Postal Service）称，如果政府不对其进行紧急救助，该公司最晚在今年末就会破产；百视达（Blockbuster）和鲍德斯已经申请破产；许多音乐制品零售商店接连关门大吉。

短信vs邮件

    随着电子邮件和手机短信的迅猛发展，传统邮件发信量的下降速度超过了邮费的上涨速度，因此美国邮政今年预计将亏损60亿美元。

    We all knew that the 1990s tech boom would change the world. But then a funny thing happened: For years brick-and-mortar companies happily coexisted with their e-rivals. Borders, for instance, actually increased sales from 2000 to 2005 as it dueled Amazon (AMZN). Now those days seem to be ending. Digital companies are so big, and growing so fast, that they're obliterating old businesses. Consider these four examples: The U.S. Postal Service says it will be insolvent by the end of 2011 without a bailout. Blockbuster and Borders have filed for bankruptcy. And music stores keep closing.

Texts vs. Mail

    The U.S. Postal Service is on track to lose $6 billion this year, as e-mails and texting reduce mail volumes faster than postage fees can rise.