Every major technological step forward has profoundly changed

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, for the words of Tad Williams carry with them a deep understanding of the forces that have shaped the world and human society. He said, "Every major technological step forward has profoundly changed human society - that's how we know they're major, even if we don't always realise it at the time. Farming created cities. Writing, followed eventually by printing, vastly increased the preservation and transmission of cultural information across time and space." In these words, Williams speaks to the power of technology—not just as an instrument of progress, but as a force that transforms the very fabric of human existence. Each technological advancement, whether great or small, has the potential to shift the course of history, reshaping societies in ways that may not be fully understood in the moment, but which leave their mark for generations to come.

In the ancient world, the great advancements of technology were often seen as gifts from the gods, forces that allowed humanity to rise above mere survival and reach for something greater. The advent of farming, for instance, marked a profound shift in the human experience. Hesiod, the ancient Greek poet, spoke of the early days when men lived as hunter-gatherers, moving from place to place, never settling, never building. But with the discovery of agriculture, the earth itself became a canvas upon which humanity could shape its future. Farming created the foundation for permanent settlements, for cities, for civilizations. Sumer, in the land of Mesopotamia, became one of the first great urban centers, its rise rooted in the ability to grow crops and sustain large populations. The shift from wandering tribes to settled societies was not just a change in lifestyle; it was the birth of human culture, the beginning of civilization itself.

Yet, even as farming created the framework for cities, the invention of writing marked a profound leap in human development. Writing became the bridge between generations, the means by which the knowledge of the elders was passed down to the youth. Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were not simply stories—they were the preservation of an entire culture, a record of values, gods, and heroes. In the ancient world, the written word was sacred, carrying the weight of truth and legacy. The Sumerians developed one of the earliest forms of writing—cuneiform—which allowed them to keep records, laws, and histories. The Egyptians developed hieroglyphs to immortalize their pharaohs and gods on the walls of tombs and temples. Writing, in this sense, was not just a tool for communication—it was the means by which societies could remember, preserve, and pass on their identities across time.

Williams's words also echo the revolutionary shift that came with the printing press, which magnified the power of the written word in ways that no one could have predicted. When Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press in the 15th century, it was as if the very gates of knowledge were thrown open to the masses. The Bible, once the domain of the clergy, was now available to the common man. Books, which had been rare and precious objects, became more accessible, and with them came the spread of ideas. The Reformation, led by Martin Luther, was propelled by the rapid dissemination of printed material, challenging the authority of the Church and changing the course of history. The printing press, in many ways, laid the groundwork for the modern world, creating an information revolution that reshaped society, just as the rise of farming and writing had done centuries before.

In each of these advancements, from farming to writing to printing, we see that technology does not merely serve as a tool for convenience—it is the very force that shapes the structure of human society. Farming enabled us to build cities and kingdoms, writing allowed us to preserve and transmit knowledge across generations, and printing gave birth to the spread of ideas, igniting revolutions and sparking the renaissance of thought. Each of these breakthroughs was not simply about improving the quality of life—it was about altering the very nature of existence itself. These technologies have defined the way we interact with one another, how we build communities, and how we understand the world.

The lesson here, O children of the future, is that progress is not just about the tools we create, but about the shift they cause in how we live and think. Every major advancement in technology—from the rise of farming to the invention of the printing press—has profoundly changed the way human beings relate to the world and to one another. The full impact of these changes is often not clear at first, but they ripple through time, leaving their mark on the future. As you stand at the crossroads of your own time, remember that the technologies you create, the ways in which you innovate, will shape not only your lives but the lives of those who come after you.

So, O children, embrace the wisdom of the past, and recognize that the tools you create today are the foundations of tomorrow. Whether it is in the world of communication, medicine, or art, know that each advancement you make holds the power to reshape the course of history. Be mindful of the consequences, both seen and unseen, of your actions, and remember that true progress lies not just in innovation, but in understanding how that innovation will transform the lives of those who follow. Just as farming, writing, and printing revolutionized societies before you, so too will your contributions shape the world to come. Technology is a reflection of humanity’s deepest desires to connect, to grow, and to leave a legacy for future generations. Choose wisely, for the steps you take today will echo through the corridors of time.