The text discusses the emergence of a new category in technology, Distributed SQL databases. It highlights three characteristics that define an emerging tech category: adoption and momentum, a collection of interests, and market recognition. The author explains how distributed SQL has become a significant new database category due to two major shifts in the market - the cloud becoming the default method for consuming tools and technologies, and the resulting challenges posed by "distributed" as the new norm. A definition for Distributed SQL is provided, along with an invitation to download a free O'Reilly report on the topic.