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Technological advances don't seem to have an undo button, as far as I can tell. Once a technology of utility is unleashed, things keep advancing and the genie n
by pavement 9y ago
Technological advances don't seem to have an undo button, as far as I can tell. Once a technology of utility is unleashed, things keep advancing and the genie never goes back into the bottle.
I suppose technology can go backwards, but only by way of generation-spanning disaster. The fall of Rome is an obvious example. I guess this means we'll be dealing with this constant technological overload for the rest of our natural lives, huh?
- stewbrew 9y agoTechnologies may become obsolete with the advent of other technologies or social changes. I think Bruno Latour makes an important point here in stressing that human and non-human (technologies) should be thought of as one. So, a technological change might go hand in hand with a social one. I don't think it has to be a disaster though. This isn't really an undo but rather the result of some pruning when an obsolete tech isn't economically viable any more.
- mirimir 9y agoIt won't be long before smartphones are in our heads.
- tritium 9y agoYeah, that's worse, not better.
- ajdlinux 9y agoI'm inclined to think this is true, but on the other hand, survivorship bias...
- wddps 9y agoThen when did we start going forwards again?