Kerby Anderson
In recent years, I have seen numerous lists of inventions that have changed the world. One such list was from the History Channel, which highlighted seven inventions from the Gilded Age that had a profound impact on society. As I read through this list, it reminded me of a commentary I did over a decade ago based on Mark Steyn’s book “After America.” In this commentary, we were encouraged to imagine what it would be like to bring our great-grandfather living in the late 19th century to an ordinary American home in 1950. The result was astonishment as he saw the home filled with mechanical contraptions and marveled at how much had changed since his time.
Now let’s imagine taking someone from 1950 and placing them in our world today. They would likely be disappointed by what they see as little has changed. Sure, there are computers and smartphones, but they would expect more changes than they find. Most of the remarkable advancements in technology took place over a century ago during the Gilded Age. So why have we reached a plateau in our technological progress? There are two primary reasons behind this: physics and politics.
Physics imposes physical limits on what can be created. We may dream of flying cars, time machines, or teleporting devices, but these ideas are constrained by laws of nature that cannot be broken. Therefore, while technology may continue to advance at a steady pace, we will always face these limitations that prevent us from achieving certain feats of engineering.
The second reason for this technological plateau is politics and bureaucratic regulations. Governments play a crucial role in shaping our society and economy, but their regulations can often stifle innovation and imagination among inventors and entrepreneurs alike. It is essential to recognize the importance of reducing government intervention in order to allow for greater freedom and creativity in technology development. By doing so, we can unlock new possibilities and push the boundaries of what is possible.
In conclusion, while there have been significant advancements in technology throughout history, there are also limits that must be considered when trying to create new innovations