Technological determinism is one of those things that gets critiqued to death without ever quite dying, because reality is on its side.
Technology is perhaps the most important unappreciated factor influencing the balance of power between ideologies.
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014
Much of what is thought of as an immortal form of human organization is really just about what was technologically feasible at the time.
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014
When predicting dynamics of crowds people talk of candidates, demographics, the ephemeral events of the day. Technology seen mainly as tool.
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014
As technology becomes the primary driver of human events…it'll surprise those w/ alternative notions of prime movers.
http://t.co/hDTn0I3Sij
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014
What's the most powerful force in the world?
1800s: God
1900s: The Military
2000s: Encryption
http://t.co/vhEIauvMI2 pic.twitter.com/r65kcGRu2f
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014
This is, at least, how many (most?) people in the 1800s & 1900s perceived things. We'll have to see if 21st century works out this way.
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014
The most paradoxical implication?
To preserve the status quo, you'd need quantum decryption.
http://t.co/sKWlDhKVeB pic.twitter.com/cUzRdmyKM6
— Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) November 30, 2014