Revenge of the nerds.

This wasn't supposed to be our technology issue. But if you take a look at our features this month, you'll notice that technological change is hitting entire sectors with hurricane force. The airline business has been fighting for air in a world of Internet discounters. No surprise then that they are taking the battle internally, using computers and the interconnectedness of the Web to price seats on the fly.

The industry term is "revenue management," getting every penny from every passenger possible yet competing on price in real time. Which is why you might have paid US$1,000 for that business trip to Rio while the vacationing goofball next to you paid $100. Bad business? Nope, great business. The goofball bought the last seat at the last second (and took a chance it would be unavailable). Once, that guy's seal meant zero revenue for the airline.

Telecoms, too, are fighting to stay relevant in the world of the Web. All media--images, sound, radio, telephone calls--are moving to the cheap data highway that is the Internet. That means cable companies and telecoms are fighting to be your access provider, since they think you'll eventually tire of paying separate (higher) bills for cable TV, telephone and Internet service. Shove all that down one pipe, send one bill. In some markets, like the United States, cable companies have this knocked. In Latin America, however, the playing field is wide open.