People live longer today than they ever have. They live happier

The words of Tom Clancy, “People live longer today than they ever have. They live happier lives, have more knowledge, more information. All this is the result of communications technology. How is any of that bad?” resonate as a celebration of human ingenuity and the transformative power of technology. He draws attention to the tangible improvements in life made possible by advances in communication—longer lifespans, greater access to knowledge, and the ability to share information across continents instantaneously. In Clancy’s observation, technology is not a threat but a herald of progress, a tool that magnifies the possibilities of human life.

The origin of this insight lies in Clancy’s life as a writer and observer of modern society, particularly the military and technological spheres. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and understanding of complex systems, Clancy recognized that communications technology—television, telephones, the internet, and digital networks—had become more than mere convenience. It had reshaped society, expanded human understanding, and connected lives in ways unimaginable to previous generations. His words capture both admiration and optimism for the era in which he lived.

History offers striking parallels. Consider the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. Before this breakthrough, knowledge was scarce, confined to manuscripts laboriously copied by hand. The press democratized information, allowing ideas to travel faster, literacy to flourish, and societies to flourish intellectually. Like modern communications technology, the press extended life’s possibilities, enhancing understanding and opportunity for countless individuals, and giving rise to movements of enlightenment and reform.

Even in more recent times, the advent of the internet and digital communication has transformed lives on a global scale. A child in a remote village can access educational resources, a researcher can collaborate with colleagues across continents, and families separated by oceans can speak in real time. Life is enriched not only by convenience but by the expansion of knowledge, information, and human connection, just as Clancy describes. The gifts of communication technology are woven into the very fabric of contemporary existence.

The meaning of his words is both celebratory and instructive. Clancy urges us to recognize the profound positive impact of technology and to approach it with gratitude rather than fear. While every tool carries potential risks, the benefits—longer, happier lives; the spread of knowledge; the ability to communicate across vast distances—are immense and transformative. He challenges the narrative that technology inherently diminishes humanity, instead suggesting that it can elevate it when harnessed wisely.

The lesson is clear: embrace technology as an instrument for improvement. Recognize that advances in communication and information are not abstractions but practical tools that enhance life, health, learning, and human connection. To reject or fear these tools is to turn away from the potential to improve the human condition, to ignore the centuries of progress that have been made possible by innovation.

Practical action follows naturally. Seek to use communications technology to enrich your own life and the lives of others. Share knowledge, maintain relationships, and engage with information responsibly. Support initiatives that expand access to technology and education, ensuring that its benefits reach as many people as possible. In doing so, you honor the promise of innovation described by Clancy: a world made better, longer, and fuller through the instruments of human ingenuity.

Thus, let Tom Clancy’s words echo as guidance for generations: communications technology has extended life, knowledge, and happiness, and in this there is no evil. May we harness it with wisdom, gratitude, and purpose, ensuring that every connection made, every insight shared, and every life touched contributes to the flourishing of humanity. In embracing these gifts, we continue the work of progress, making life richer, longer, and more meaningful for all.