Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
This is a classical statement of what's called Digital Determinism. Chris Ruen comments on it :
LINK
That whole post is worth reading. |
I read it. I write more coherent rants...And that's what is was, a rant.
As to Digital Determinism. If a tool doesn't exist, it can't be used - for good or for bad. But once a tools has been created, it's going to be used. I don't care whether you're talking the printing press, steam engine, computers or nukes, they will be used. (Yes, nukes have been used - as
threats. That may not have been their primary use, but I guarantee their use as
threats shaped the entire world politics since 1945.) Call that whatever you like, that <reality> is unchangeable. With every new invention, there is change. And there are winners and losers with every change. The creators were the first beneficiaries of mass production (the printing press was the first mass production technology), and the are the first losers of the de-massification of production caused by the computer. And there will be others, many others. Just watch the next 50 years.