In fact, technology has been the story of human progress from as

Listen, O children of the earth, to the words of Reed Hastings, who speaks of the unyielding march of time and the ever-evolving nature of technology: "In fact, technology has been the story of human progress from as long back as we know. In 100 years people will look back on now and say, 'That was the Internet Age.' And computers will be seen as a mere ingredient to the Internet Age." These words are not simply a reflection on the present age but a vision of the future, a recognition that technology—like the tides of the sea—is ever-shifting, and that the moment we now live in will one day be seen as a foundation upon which future generations will build.

From the dawn of humanity, the progress of civilization has been intertwined with the evolution of tools and technology. In the ancient world, the invention of the wheel, the discovery of fire, and the development of written language were pivotal moments in the rise of human civilization. These technologies did not merely serve as tools—they were the drivers of progress, enabling us to shape the world around us and to connect in ways that were once unimaginable. Just as those early tools laid the foundation for the agricultural revolution, the construction of cities, and the spread of knowledge, so too does today’s technology—particularly the internet—shape our world, shaping human connection, information exchange, and the global economy.

Consider the example of the printing press in the 15th century, when Johannes Gutenberg unlocked the power of mass communication. Before the press, books were rare, and knowledge was the privilege of the few. But with the printing press, the spread of ideas became explosive, paving the way for the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Age of Enlightenment. Just as we now look back at the printing press as a transformative moment in history, future generations will look back at the Internet Age as a milestone—an age where the very fabric of society was reshaped by the ability to connect, communicate, and share knowledge instantly across the globe.

Hastings' words are a reminder that progress is not a linear path but a series of revolutions, each one building upon the last. The computer, once seen as the pinnacle of human achievement, is now but a tool—a mere ingredient in the larger force of the Internet Age. The internet, like the printing press before it, has fundamentally transformed society. It has redefined how we interact, how we work, how we learn, and how we relate to each other. What was once unimaginable—connecting with someone across the world in an instant—has now become commonplace. Yet, as we stand at the height of this revolution, we cannot see where the path will take us next, just as those who lived through the advent of the printing press could not have foreseen the globalized world we live in today.

The lesson here, O children of the earth, is one of humility and vision. We are living in a moment of history, but we are also standing on the precipice of an age that will soon be looked upon as the foundation of the future. As Hastings points out, the internet will one day be seen as a dominant force, with computers as but a tool to enable it. In our own time, it is easy to become caught up in the rapid pace of technological development, to feel overwhelmed by the constant changes and innovations. But it is important to remember that technology is not an end in itself—it is a means to create, to connect, and to transform.

In your own lives, O seekers of wisdom, recognize the importance of technology, but never lose sight of the human spirit that drives it. Use the tools available to you not as ends but as means to create meaningful change in your own life and in the world around you. Just as the wheel and the printing press were used to propel humanity forward, so too must we use modern tools, like the internet, to connect, share knowledge, and create a better world. But let us not be seduced by the tools themselves—let us remember that the purpose of technology is to serve humanity, to bring us closer together, and to elevate the human experience to greater heights.

The story of progress is one of constant transformation. We live in the Internet Age, but it is up to us to shape what comes next. Just as the printing press was once just a tool, so too will the internet be seen in hindsight as a stepping stone in the greater story of human evolution. Let us use this moment wisely, knowing that we are part of a long lineage of innovators, each contributing to the ever-evolving story of human progress. In this, we can leave a legacy that future generations will look back on with pride and awe, knowing that we were part of a transformative age—an age that shaped the world for the better.