May 31, 2006
Tubular bells
Kevin Kelly is a technophile, and has been since his Whole Earth Review days; like many people who really like tools, he often finds that specialized and old-fashioned implements are the cheapest, most efficient, or most aesthetically pleasing way to get jobs done. And if his theory that "species of technology do not go extinct" is correct, then he's in luck -- those lovely speed levers and screw punches will be around for generations to come. Kelly acknowledges the counterexample of Greek fire, the terrifying napalm-like weapon used by the Byzantines to ensure their naval superiority. Various glazes, perfumes, and dyes are gone, but it's doubtful that Kelly would consider the failure to replicate particular shade of blue stained glass a "species extinction". He's right that in an amazingly wealthy world, it's possible to find almost anything. Even if we can't duplicate a Stradivarius (ignoring the debate about whether Stradivarius himself had any secret techniques), it's possible to buy a violin in any well-equipped music shop; given enough time and money, you could acquire a brand new pianoforte or glass harmonica. The problem isn't with Kelly's insight; it's with his metaphor.
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