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
I love the philosophical quote.
Tom
Tom – 🙂 I guess it’s possible that it was added by the person installing the cement, with reference to their career aspirations.
Reflections are fascinating. You’ve done some before — skyscrapers reflected in car fenders, bridges on water, etc. — but it’s the sheer simplicity of these images in the sunglasses that catches me.
Obviously, one can’t go through life looking only at reflections, but life would be much less rich if one NEVER looked at reflections.
Jim T
Jim T – 🙂 Thanks – I like these, also. I recently saw some lovely reflections of palm trees in office windows, but needed my good camera and its zoom to get them. By the time I was close enough to capture them with my phone, the angle was wrong.
Abe Lincoln, in his merrier moments said, “You’re only as happy as you decide to be.”
Barbara – LOL. He doesn’t seem like the cheeriest guy, does he?
Perhaps it is his voice — which, apparently, sounded like a 13-year-old girl. THAT changes the Gettysburg Address, doesn’t it?
Still, a great man, merry or not.