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What we are, in fact, are electronic ape-men. We woke up…

“What we are, in fact, are electronic ape-men. We woke up just now in the electronic dawn and there, looming against the brightening sky, is this huge black rectangle. And we’re reaching out and touching it and saying, “Is it WAP enabled? Can we have sex with it? Can you get it in a different…” quote by Terry Pratchett
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““What we are, in fact, are electronic ape-men. We woke up just now in the electronic dawn and there, looming against the brightening sky, is this huge black rectangle. And we’re reaching out and touching it and saying, “Is it WAP enabled? Can we have sex with it? Can you get it in a different colour? Is it being sold cheap because the Monolith2 is being released next month and has a built-in PDA for the same price?””

Terry Pratchett

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Humans are depicted as primitive beings obsessed with trivial tech, highlighting our shallow engagement with technology.

In simple terms: We treat new tech like a toy, missing deeper meaning.

Key Takeaway

Question and use tech meaningfully.

Themes

technology human nature consumerism

Mood

satirical critical

Type

cultural philosophical

When to use this quote

  • everyday tech use
  • product design
  • digital culture
  • media literacy

Key Concepts

existentialism media critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does humor reveal our tech anxieties?
  • What deeper values can we seek beyond gadgets?
A Different Perspective

It overlooks positive aspects of tech progress.

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