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What does " measures of magnitude larger" mean in this context?

In the same way, CEOs need to constantly be thinking about what’s next. This has always been their role. The key change, however, is that we’re enduring shifts now that they are measures of magnitude larger in shorter periods of time.

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    It's impossible to say without more context; but I suspect that this is an error for orders of magnitude larger. This is a common exaggeration -- it means literally that shifts today compared with those of the past are larger by factors which are not just multiples of single digits (twice, three times, four times) but multiples of powers of ten (ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times).
    – StoneyB on hiatus
    Commented Feb 20, 2016 at 12:56
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    I've yet to figure out when a response should be an answer vs. a comment. StoneyB, that seems quite informative enough to be a complete answer.
    – whywasinotconsulted
    Commented Feb 21, 2016 at 1:29
  • I think the question should be closed, but none of the flag options fits it. It seems to originate from an error in the referenced text. No knowledge to be gained.
    – laugh salutes Monica C
    Commented Mar 10, 2016 at 17:38

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StoneyB gave us the answer, which I am merely paraphrasing.

It's impossible to say without more context; but I suspect that this is an error that should be "orders of magnitude." This is a common exaggeration....

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  • I'd suggest you reread StoneyB's whole answer. "orders of magnitude" is the most likely intended phrase, but it's also most likely an exaggeration. The phrase simply means, I believe, "strikingly larger".
    – WhatRoughBeast
    Commented Mar 26, 2016 at 18:39
  • @WhatRoughBeast, I'm curious as to what you're referring to. The four elements I wanted to make sure to include from StoneyB's comment were: a) a definitive answer is impossible without context; b) the actual correct phrase orders of magnitude; c) "this is a common exaggeration"; and d) stoney's explanation of the literal meaning. What am I missing?
    – Omnidisciplinarianist
    Commented Mar 28, 2016 at 17:02
  • Since "this is a common exaggeration" , your paraphrase "literally that shifts...are larger by multiple powers of 10" is not appropriate. It just means that the shifts are larger than in the past, and the speaker is exaggerating.
    – WhatRoughBeast
    Commented Mar 28, 2016 at 17:23
  • Okay, @WhatRoughBeast, I can understand where you're coming from. I've whittled out the offending elements. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
    – Omnidisciplinarianist
    Commented Mar 28, 2016 at 21:40

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