Monday, June 20, 2011

Modern Thoughts

What a strange life we live. It occasionally occurs to me how far we have come from the way we have lived for millennia. Even a century ago, our machines were still simple, at least simple enough that it could be easily discerned exactly how each one worked, and it could come from the earth to a hand and be created in relatively few simple steps. I type this on my iPad and I have no idea how it translates my touch into words. I know that there are circuits and the basics of physics and programming, but I've never understood how what someone types as code becomes the motion of a machine.
Please bear in mind, I do not necessarily think this is a bad thing. Obviously, I enjoy using technology for work and entertainment, I just occasionally get this weird feeling of being out of place. Generally speaking, I like to know where a thing comes from, and even better if I can make it myself, like being able to grow my own vegetables or sew my own clothing. I have the knowledge of how to spin thread and weave cloth even if I haven't perfected my technical proficiency in those areas.
I guess I feel like if I can't picture in my head how a thing works, it doesn't feel real to me. All things considered, I might as well be on Star Trek. All I need now is a transporter and warp drive.

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