In the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution was one of several revolutions that overturned society. Mechanical creatures intruded into farms and homes, but still this invasion had no name. Finally, in 1802, Johann Beckmann, an economics professor at Gottingen University gave this ascending force its name [technology] . . . He hoped his outline [a textbook titled Guide to Technology] would become the first course in the subject. It did that and more. It also gave a name to what we do. Once named, we could now see it. Having seen it, we wondered how anyone could not have seen it.
Source:Â Kevin Kelly, What Technology Wants
Posted: 2025 Oct 18
Or check out this TEDxSF by Kelly.
Isabel – As a Maritimer, this doesn’t look like a fiddlehead to me. Fiddlehead ferns only grow about 6 inches above the ground before they lose their fiddlehead shape as they grow taller and start to spread out. Plus, there is only one “fiddlehead” per fern plant.
John W
John – I’ll take your word for it. An undifferentiated fern it is!
Isabel
That is one striking picture! You take such good shots.
Tom
Tom – Thanks! You leave such good comments . . . 🙂
It looks sentient.
Barbara – Who’s watching who, eh? A tad unsettling.