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One of the things I have taken for granted, in terms of…

“One of the things I have taken for granted, in terms of how technology works in the world, is the people that develop it and get it out there don't really know what we are going to do with until we have really gotten ahold of it and it has become ubiquitous. And then we wind up doing things that…” quote by William Gibson
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“One of the things I have taken for granted, in terms of how technology works in the world, is the people that develop it and get it out there don't really know what we are going to do with until we have really gotten ahold of it and it has become ubiquitous. And then we wind up doing things that its inventors never dreamed of and those things become the real change drivers. That is actually where the whole technocracy thing falls apart for me, because the people who invented it can't predict what we're going to do with it.”

William Gibson

About This Quote

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

Technology’s impact exceeds creators’ expectations, making it a driver of unforeseen societal shifts.

In simple terms: Tech evolves beyond its inventors’ plans.

Key Takeaway

Embrace adaptability in tech development.

Themes

technology unpredictability societal change

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

philosophical strategic

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • product design
  • education curricula

Key Concepts

innovation diffusion future studies

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safeguards can guide unintended tech uses?
  • How to balance innovation with foresight?
A Different Perspective

Predicting outcomes is inherently uncertain.

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