Are exponential schemes applicable in real world scenarios?

Today, many of the models we are confronted with have an exponential growth nature. Starting from the explosion in communication, to the computing power of microchips, from power grids to ponzi schemes, the world seems to be driven by a constant acceleration. How far can we push the exponential paradigm in our lives and in actual real-world models (economy, transportation, communication, relations, information, production, etc) ?