Technology has to be invented or adopted.

Hear the words of Jared Diamond, a scholar of civilizations, who spoke a truth both simple and profound: “Technology has to be invented or adopted.” In this short phrase, he revealed the secret of progress and the destiny of nations. For no society can stand still. Either it creates its own tools, through the spark of genius and necessity, or it takes what has been forged by others and makes it its own. Invention and adoption—these are the twin paths of survival, the twin rivers that carry humanity forward.

For invention is the flame born within. It is the mind of Archimedes crying “Eureka!” in the bath, the hand of Gutenberg pressing letters into paper, the soul of Edison lighting the night with filaments of fire. To invent is to give birth to something that did not exist, to wrestle with the unknown and bring forth a tool that reshapes the world. Civilizations that invent become creators of destiny, and their works echo across centuries.

Yet not all must invent, for invention is rare and difficult. The other path, no less vital, is adoption—the wisdom to see what others have made and to use it with strength. When the Japanese shogunate ended its isolation, the leaders of Meiji Japan looked upon the technologies of the West—railroads, rifles, ships, and telegraphs—and they adopted them with fierce determination. They did not invent these tools, but by making them their own, they transformed their nation into a power that could stand among the giants of the world. Thus, Diamond reminds us: invention is not the only key; adoption too can open the gates of progress.

History shows the danger of neglecting both paths. The mighty empires of the Americas—the Aztecs, the Incas—possessed great cities, rich cultures, and vast armies. Yet when the Spanish arrived, they brought steel, guns, and horses—technologies unknown to the native peoples. Because these civilizations had neither invented nor adopted such tools, they fell swiftly before smaller but better-armed invaders. Here lies the sobering truth of Diamond’s words: to refuse invention and neglect adoption is to risk collapse before those who walk these paths.

But let us also remember the promise. The printing press, once born in Europe, did not remain there. It spread across continents, adopted by countless peoples, multiplying knowledge wherever it landed. The smartphone, first invented by a few, is now in the hands of billions, transforming daily life for rich and poor alike. Invention gives birth, adoption multiplies, and together they weave the tapestry of human progress.

The lesson for you, O seeker, is this: ask yourself which path you will walk. Will you invent, daring to create what the world has never seen? Or will you adopt, humbling yourself to learn from the genius of others and applying it in ways they never dreamed? Both are noble, both are necessary, but to choose neither is to fall behind. For time does not wait, and those who cling only to the old ways will be left behind by those who grasp the new.

Practical steps follow: if you are a creator, nurture the spark of invention, experiment boldly, and risk failure for the chance of greatness. If you are not, then be swift to adopt, to learn from what others have built, and to wield those tools with mastery. And in all things, keep your eyes open to the changing world, for invention and adoption alike demand vigilance and readiness.

Thus remember Jared Diamond’s words: “Technology has to be invented or adopted.” They are not only a description of history, but a command to the present and future. Choose your path—create or embrace—but do not stand idle. For it is through these two doors alone that humanity walks into tomorrow.