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What do we mean by "technological progress"? Do we mean the quantitative improvement over previous generations of technology? Or do we mean qualitative improv
by recampbell 17y ago
What do we mean by "technological progress"? Do we mean the quantitative improvement over previous generations of technology? Or do we mean qualitative improvements in our standard of living?
When you can eliminate the fear of hunger, automate mindless domestic chores and provide highly-accessible world-wide transportation, these are huge qualitative changes in our standard of living. But once you reach a certain level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, big technological improvements don't make as big of a difference in your perceived quality of life.
Is it really surprising that storing 2000x more music on your iPod doesn't have the same impact on your standard of living as a cheap and reliable source of food?
- potatolicious 17y agoNot to mention that the computer and internet revolution is, for the most part, entirely contained within the past 50 years... and IMHO the advent of mass computing and the internet is likely the most important leap in human technology for the past few centuries. Think back to how life was in the mid 80s, and tell me we have not advanced by absolute leaps and bounds.