Invention Is the Mother of Necessities - 1649 Words

Module 1 - Background Invention is the mother of necessities.† - Marshall McLuhan Questions We Ask Ourselves Marshall McLuhan s saying, Invention is the mother of necessities, is an example of wit. How is it witty? What is the original saying? You need wit to think about technology, for wit demands creative thinking. And once you start thinking creatively, you start to see the effect of technology on us all. The usual saying is, Necessity is the mother of invention. That makes sense: right now, for example, the world may be running out of oil, and as a result, the necessity of finding a new energy supply will lead to new inventions. Hence the necessity (need for energy) is the mother of invention. But McLuhan says that†¦show more content†¦Our seeing and hearing have been extended. So what part of us is therefore natural, and what part is technology? Technology affects our very identity. Another definition of technology is the innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment to satisfy perceived human needs and wants. We can change nature. That is also important, both in itself and how we see ourselves. Technology began by helping cave dwellers cope with the environment, but now it can change that environment. So we see that technology has a profound effect on us because it: 1. Affects our personal identity by extending our natural capabilities. 2. Changes the natural environment to suit us. These are huge, huge, effects. Technology is definitely something we should think about, for it affects everything around us and even in us. But we will first have to focus on how we will discuss technology in the course. Inventions as Gales of Creative Destruction A major concept in this course would be Joseph Schumpeter s concept of gales of creative destruction that sweep through economies. How does this concept relate to technology? What exactly are the gales?Show MoreRelatedThomas Alva Edison and His Contribution to the World866 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the 19th century the inventions of useable electricity, steel, and natural gas products led to a second industrial revolution (1865–1900), which featured the growth of transportation as well as faster and wider means of communication. The 19th century was the age of developing machine tools along with interchangeable parts. The assembly line was also invented during the 19th century, speeding up the manufacturing of products in factories. Inventors began to design practical internal combustionRead MoreTechnology is Eden Essay676 Words   |  3 PagesMcLuhans statement that â€Å"Invention is the mother of necessities† is very true. This is because if it were not for tech nology our work would not be as efficient or productive. New technologies and innovations became our necessities and we cannot live without them now that they have been introduced in our lives. 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