Kind of confusing, technology and magic
In a foreword to a book on perl programming, Larry Wall discusses his experience
with the early development of perl, and uses the words magic at least once, in
how perl came to be. Actually, I think I have the book, but I have to search
for it. The actual link follows:
Nevertheless, it seems like, one of the best descriptions for magic that I have
heard is that magic is technology that hasn't been invented yet. However, and
here's where the whole thing gets confusing; the rate of change in technology
has become so rapid, that what was the future may become the past in
a short period of time and therefore in this arena it becomes somewhat more
difficult to make an accurate distinctions, because " new " technology
is always being developed.
However, we can say a few things about technology as it applies in
out daily life. Magic might be an entirely different conversation.
One thing is we are generally learning something about it. In many
cases this can be a difficult process. Secondly we need to assess
on a kind of constant basis, if the particular technology we are
using really adds up to being beneficial, and that can be both time
consuming and involve lots of effort.
But, it can be interesting to consider this sort of dynamic of magic
and technology as it has played over time. I think it might be
at least vaguely accurate to say there has been quite a bit of
weaving and back and forth on these things.
Comments
Post a Comment