Whilst the industrial revolution started with mechanical power; the harnessing of steam essentially. The modern world owes everything to the mastery of the electron and the photon, and more generally the exquisite control of electromagnetism.
The manipulation of electrons enables the iPhone; touted as the possible pinnacle of achievement; basically every industrial process on the planet is monitored and controlled by electromagnetic means.
Our true highest achievement is the ongoing development of the control of electromagnetic phenomena; we bend electrons and photons to our will, manipulate matter on the smallest scales using these forces, measure the bending of the fabric of reality, and probe the secrets of the universe. The iPhone is but one small aspect of this continuum of knowledge.
Whilst the industrial revolution started with mechanical power; the harnessing of steam essentially. The modern world owes everything to the mastery of the electron and the photon, and more generally the exquisite control of electromagnetism.
The manipulation of electrons enables the iPhone; touted as the possible pinnacle of achievement; basically every industrial process on the planet is monitored and controlled by electromagnetic means.
Our true highest achievement is the ongoing development of the control of electromagnetic phenomena; we bend electrons and photons to our will, manipulate matter on the smallest scales using these forces, measure the bending of the fabric of reality, and probe the secrets of the universe. The iPhone is but one small aspect of this continuum of knowledge.
To be fair. The conquering of fire is considered top human achievement in some mythos.
We may not agree on the top human achievement. But at least we both agree the iPhone wasn’t it. Not even close.
Fire, the wheel and the printing press, would be my top three.
But the modern world is all about the manipulation of electromagnetism.