The Myth of Technological Progress

What an amazingly short-sighted article.

Really? Sure, the idea of networking computers was around 50 years ago but is using your cell phone to purchase items online via your home's wireless network really just an improvement on the theoretical ability to network computers?

Is watching the summer Olympics live from England on a big screen HTDV merely an improvement on the invention of television in 1920's and showcased at the New York World Fair in 1939?

I get the gist of the article--that the main technological breakthroughs have been made and most of the last 50-60 years advancements are improvements on the initial breakthroughs. But the improvements are enormous.

The article doesn't mention the advancement of medical devices or lasers, but I suppose it would argue that they are merely spin-off of other technologies. Likewise, when man can use their brain to directly control devices like TV's or cell phones, will that merely be an improvement on existing technology?

The future will see astonishing breakthroughs in nano-technology and super-conductivity to name just a couple of items.

I wonder what the author would consider a bona-fide technological breakthrough? Time travel? How about a transporter, like Star Trek?

 

I wonder....given a choice would people vote to keep air conditioning or to keep their smartphones?

Personally, I would opt for air conditioning.

 

I am 80 yrars old and from several sourses I have read that 80% of the techknowledgy that we posess today came about in my lifetime which includes the wheel and the sharp stick.

 

Wow. The author of that article missed the point entirely. One only has to look at why there was technological progress in the time frames mentioned. For example, the author identified 1909-1959 as a 50-year period that showed much technological advancements. And what were the major societal happenings that contributed to or influenced the need for rapid technological improvements?

By the same token, what societal happenings are occurring now that require technological advancements at the same, or even nearly the same, rapidity?

In other words, this author is making the mistake committed by many of my prior military brethren: letting technology drive the mission, rather than the mission drive the technology. Technology will not drive technological advancements; and even those enamored of technology don't innovate at a rate looked for by the author. Technological change has always been driven by Man's need; and let's face it: what is Man showing himself to be needing these days?

In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say the next tech break-through is going to be caused by the world economic problems.

 

The technology we will probably enjoy in 50 years from now, we probably have no idea what that is right now because our govt is keeping it hidden from us. IMO.

 

There is and always will be...

...a form of technological eveloution!

We have come so far. Even from my childhood, I can clearly see a rapid progression in just about everything around me. All the creature features of my day, are now luxury beyond anything I could have ever thought as a child.

I don't believe in evolution, that is a fact. However, as a wise theology proffessor once said [to our Creation class], "Never argue that technology isn't evolving, because that is one you'd lose face on!"

I don't know about any of you, but, just the evolution of computers to cyber space to mini tablets to Skype, amazes me.

The big thing when I was a teen was the infamous "Transitistor Radio!" I got one and remember stringing the antenna wire from one end of my house to the other, just to get a radio station signal from LA, more than 75 miles north of me. Of course, the sound [speaker] was not great, but it caused me to rejoice. However, compared to what we have been available today, even at your local 99Cent store or a Big Lot, that transistor radio was a dinosaur of technology.

I remember thinking how neat it would be to have a rear speaker in my car, to give me a hifi effect. No look at the stereo systems coming in cars? We even have this Bose sound bar and wireless bass to give a thump now and then to what we watch and hear.

Things have come a long, long way baby; and I am heere to testify as just to how much its come.

And that is not a myth! You can bet your surround sound system on that!:laugh:

 

Technology is a fruit of one's world view, and I think world history will bear out that as a society is just and free, technology skyrockets.

Where a society becomes unjust, atheistic and/or pagan, technology takes a dive.

 

Pastor Paul,
I would appreciate it if you would invent a time machine and transport all the 24/7 Calvin-Free Will debaters to the year 2059, then I doubt you or I would ever see them again. One thing that has always puzzled me about the advancement of technology, is that we landed on the moon in 1969, yet some 44 years later, all we did was invent a new space craft and circle the earth, as far as manned missions are concerned. I suppose that has more to do with politics than anything. It was a good move I guess. Just think, the money we would have spent on getting to Mars we can now spend on Obamacare.

Yes indeedy, we can now talk to others like the Jetson's cartoon. Such a great use of technolgy. Like the other day, I saw a 400 pound person with spandex on in Walmart with one on, pushing a basket, and holding up an Ipod at the same time. Overhearing the conversation, the person said "I am on aisle 7, and just passed the green beans." No doubt the goal was the donut aisle.

Oh yes, forgot, if you could manage to finish up the transporter like on Star Trek, you would do this country a huge favor if you would beam the entire Congress, President and Vice-President to Uranus.

 

I'm not sure what point the author is trying to make. However, it seems that his article misses a key point. From the dawn of civilization "technology" advancements have been made one step at a time. IMO, this will continue to happen until God calls us all home.

There have been long expanses of time, where mankind seemed to pause, and sometimes even move backwards, as happened in the dark ages. Perhaps, that's what the author is trying to say. That we are entering into a modern equivalent of the "dark ages" where advancement comes to a hault.

God gave mankind the ability to think, to reason, to learn. When the time was right, an individual used those God-given gifts to take another step along this "technology" path. An internal combustion engine would not have aided the Hebrews in their travels in the desert. The infrastructure to support and use such an engine didn't exist. (Spark plugs, insulated electrical wiring, fuel pumps, etc.)

I'm not enough of a student of recorded history to know when mankind moved from cooking over open fires to building fireplaces. A friend of mine has built a fully functional replica of what we call a colonial fireplace. Incorporated are all the advancements in "technology" up to that point in time. Cranes, grates, spiders, clockwork spit, reflector ovens, fire tongs, kettles -- the list can go on about improvements in fireplace meal preparations.

Moving on to my own memories. By the time I came into being, my mother cooked on a castiron wood cookstove. Well remember the trips to the woodpile to keep the box behind the stove filled. Remember the trips to the well to keep the hot water resevoir filled. Remember her using the warming closet at the top of the stove. Also remember the coffee pot that set on that stove.

This morning, as with most every morning, my FIRST cup of coffee comes from the microwave. Put a cup of water in it and heat for 80 seconds. Add a spoonful of Folgers instant, then stir. In a minute and a half, there's a hot cup of coffee to sip on while the electric perculator brews the first pot. (Yes, a perculator. )

That first cup of coffee represents the progression to present from the days mankind sat on the ground around a fire. Over time, a step at a time, advancements in "technology" made that 1.5 minute cup of coffee possible. Will there be future advancements in this technology? Possibly? Short term? Doubtful, as what is there to be gained in saving 30 seconds to make a cup of coffee?

-- steam engines, cotton gins, mechanical looms, chemical storage batteries, telephones, telescopes, microscopes, x-rays, plows, matches, can openers, paper clips, Bic pens, flu shots, iPads --

What will be the next revolutionary step that man takes? When and where will it happen? I don't have a clue and neither does the author of the article. It's almost as if he's mourning the loss of the advancements in buggy whips, during the lull in "progress" as the internal combustion engine came to center stage.

What will be the next revolutionary step that man takes? Perhaps, it will be taking the mark of the beast.

 

Don't do that to me! Almost spewed that first cup of coffee all over this screen.

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

I think a graph of technology would most likely resemble a roller-coaster ride as civilizations rise and fall. Think of the knowledge lost after the Flood, after the falls of Egypt, Rome and Greece.

I don't know if there is a time in world history after the Flood as now that the world is almost as it was in the days of Noah—the entire world linked through communication.

One also has to understand the world views involved. Darwinsim is the biggest modern hindrance to progress. Instead of seeing the earth as here for man to subdue and dominate and use for his good, the Earth is seen as his mother. Oh no, can't burn so-called "fossile" fuels. Got to get back to living like the noble primitives!

A Christian, Creationist world view spawned the greatest civilization the world has ever known, and turned man loose to rise to a technological level probably hitherto unknown.

 

Glad you mentioned it....

...it is on the drawing board as we speak. I have a few tweaks to make, since the last attempt to beam up enough voters for Obama went awry, and I actually beamed up a few million Tea Party folks from the south.

Blame Bush for the problems throughout the world. Blame me for losing this last election.

BTW - I did return the voters, it would have caused a huge problem for the political balance in the south if they were to be missing for longer than a day. Some would have blamed Jesus, saying He raptured the church, and seemed to be only those ex-Confederates. Poor Yankees? :smilewinkgrin:

I'll do better the next time, and maybe in your lifetime; we'll have a working pro type :laugh: