I know what you're probably thinking, that this is in praise of computers (most people who know me might think that), but this is a bigger thought for today.
I could say that I love technology, but that's not really what I mean. It's not today's high-tech, like smartphones, satellites and videoconferencing. It's technology in general, and the human capability to create that underlies our society.
Remember, the wheel is technology; indoor plumbing is technology; trains, planes, electricity, building materials - these are all creations born from the application of the human mind to a problem. And technology builds on itself - from the wheel, to the cart, to the wagon, to the train, etc.
And technology isn't just about things, but ideas as well - philosophies, forms of government, and societal norms and how we communicate them - heck, even communication is a technology that we developed.
Sometimes we think that we are living in the ultimate age - the pinnacle of human endeavor; I say we are just at the beginning. The continued application of thought, both individual and collective / collaborative thought, will continue to bring advancements in knowledge, morality, and philosophy for years / centuries / millennia to come, eventually not even on this planet. While I'm grateful to live in this world where disease is rare, medicines are widely available, communication can be instantaneous with anywhere in the world, it's only just beginning.
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