"The hardware manufacturers, game designers, cable companies and computer companies and, in fact, film studios are going to ensure that this thing marches on. They know that they are going to make an enormous amount of money from it"

Thomas Dolby’s words draw attention to the powerful, interdependent ecosystem that drives technological advancement and the proliferation of digital entertainment. He highlights the collective ambition of several major industries, hardware manufacturers, game designers, cable companies, computer companies, and film studios, each with a vested interest in the progress and adoption of new technologies. Their motivations are not solely rooted in innovation or user experience, but significantly in the pursuit of profit. Every time a new technology emerges, whether it's a gaming platform, streaming service, or interactive media interface, it offers fresh opportunities for these stakeholders to capitalize on consumer demand.

Dolby pinpoints a sense of inevitability; the “march” he refers to is propelled not only by consumer desire but by a calculated push from these corporations. Their influence shapes trends, popularizes devices, and even dictates the format in which culture is consumed. Hardware manufacturers design devices capable of richer media experiences. Game designers craft worlds that harness these platforms. Cable and computer companies provide essential infrastructure, while film studios deliver engaging content. Each link in this chain is motivated by the immense revenue that technological engagement now promises, and their collaboration ensures constant evolution.

This system is self-generating, innovation spurs excitement, excitement drives sales, sales fund further innovation. Rather than a neutral process, it is orchestrated by those who recognize the lucrative potential inherent in every upgrade, subscription, and ticket sold. Consumers may feel as though they are shaping the market through their choices, but underlying each decision is a web of sophisticated calculation by these industries to maximize financial return. The “thing” Dolby mentions is not tied to one specific technology but the broader idea of rapid advancement in digital media and entertainment, a movement that will persist as long as there is profit to be made. Through their deliberate actions, these industries virtually guarantee the unstoppable progress of technology for both entertainment and commercial gain.