Dematerialisation

/ˌdiːməˌtɪərɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of becoming non-physical or losing material substance; the transformation from physical to abstract or digital form.

Etymology

From de- (removal) + material (from Latin materialis) + -isation (British spelling). The term grew prominent in 20th-century philosophy and is now crucial in discussions of digital transformation.

Kelly Says

The dematerialisation of money—from coins to paper to digital numbers in banks—literally redefined what value *is*. Money never stopped being real just because it stopped being material.

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