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: Kevin Kelly, What Technology Wants
Posted: 2025 Oct 18
Or check out this TEDxSF by Kelly.
Fascinating pictures, Isabel.
Tom
Tom – Thanks. It was a bit disconcerting, the fist time I saw a shell scuttling along the path in front of me!
I have a sense of empathy with hermit crabs. But to back up a little, at various times I have been part of groups where we were asked to imagine, “If you were an animal, what animal would you be?” The answer varies, of course. At times I have said I would probably be a chameleon, changing my colours to match the company I found myself in. Or perhaps a donkey, taking on whatever jobs got dumped onto my back, whether I liked it or not. I look at these crabs, and see myself again. Not that I have a hard shell, or someone else’s shell, but that when I feel I’m being attacked or threatened, I shrink back into my shell and hope it will have gone away by the time I poke my head out again.
Jim T
Jim T – That’s interesting – being able to see yourself not just in another person but in another species.
You did very well to get those shots Isabel. I suspect there was a fair bit of patience there.
Jim R – Oddly, not as much as it might appear. The island/key is small and always inhabited by a few people, so maybe they get used to us. Some of the hiding behaviour seemed a bit pro forma.
I love the third. Saying “what the hell is happening here”
Barry – LOL. Yes, his eyes do seem to be a bit “bugged out.”