--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The modern technologist is less…" description: "\"The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more 'sorcerer's apprentice'.\" — Barry Commoner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png" --- # The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more… ![“The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more 'sorcerer's apprentice'.” quote by Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png) > “The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more 'sorcerer's apprentice'.” [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern tech workers are more like learners than masters, lacking full control. **In simple terms:** Tech workers are apprentices. Key Takeaway Embrace continuous learning. Themes technology learning humility Mood reflective encouraging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - startup environments - software development - AI research - education programs Key Concepts knowledge gaps skill development mentorship Questions to Reflect On - How can apprentices gain mastery? - What limits arise from inexperience? A Different Perspective May underestimate the power of expertise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apprentice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprentice/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern Technologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-technologist-5634838/) [Sorcerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorcerer/) [Sorcerer Apprentice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorcerer-apprentice-722119/) [Technologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technologist-1032689/) [Technologist Sorcerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technologist-sorcerer-5634839/) ## Related quotes > [“I pictured myself saying in a court of law, "Well, Your Honor, there was this evil sorcerer's apprentice and a flesh-eating, power-granting demon he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-resnick/i-pictured-myself-saying-in-a-court-of-law-well-your-honor-there-was/) [Laura Resnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-resnick/) > [I'm a technologist by origin and by training, but I'm focused on philanthropy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-omidyar/i-m-a-technologist-by-origin-and-by-training-but-i-m-focused-on/) [Pierre Omidyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-omidyar/) > [Technology as the knack of eliminating the world as resistance,... the technologist's worldlessness… My mistake lay in the factthat we technologists try to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-frisch/technology-as-the-knack-of-eliminating-the-world-as-resistance-the/) [Max Frisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-frisch/) > [People say to me that I'm a role model in technology, but it makes me laugh, because I'm not a technologist, I'm a journalist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-gardner/people-say-to-me-that-i-m-a-role-model-in-technology-but-it-makes-me/) [Sue Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-gardner/) > [One of the things that really gets me excited and makes me start up companies is the fact that you can basically build something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anousheh-ansari/one-of-the-things-that-really-gets-me-excited-and-makes-me-start-up/) [Anousheh Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anousheh-ansari/) > [I always knew I wanted to be a technologist, so I went to Duke and got a degree in computer science and electrical engineering.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-patzer/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-be-a-technologist-so-i-went-to-duke-and-got/) [Aaron Patzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-patzer/) > [The sorcerer's description of the world is perceivable. But our insistence on holding on to our standard version of reality renders us almost deaf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/the-sorcerer-s-description-of-the-world-is-perceivable-but-our/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [“Virtuoso? Are you serious? What kind of code name is that? Who's assigning code names these days? They should be shot. How can anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bevarly/virtuoso-are-you-serious-what-kind-of-code-name-is-that-who-s/) [Elizabeth Bevarly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bevarly/) > [“If he’d once defeated the greatest sorcerer in the world, how come Dudley had always been able to kick him around like a football?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/if-he-d-once-defeated-the-greatest-sorcerer-in-the-world-how-come/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“We have a predator that came from the depths of the cosmos and took over the rule of our lives. Human beings are its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/we-have-a-predator-that-came-from-the-depths-of-the-cosmos-and-took/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [“My parents think the longer the name, the more powerful the sorcerer, so they named me Cassandra Morgan Ursula Margaret Scot. You can call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-amsden/my-parents-think-the-longer-the-name-the-more-powerful-the-sorcerer/) [Christine Amsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-amsden/) > [For a sorcerer, reality, or the world as we all know it, is only a description.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/for-a-sorcerer-reality-or-the-world-as-we-all-know-it-is-only-a/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uther-pendragon/to-know-the-heart-of-one-sorcerer-is-to-know-them-all/) [Uther Pendragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uther-pendragon/) > [“Whenever you have a sorcerer betwixt your thighs, your powers tend to disappear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/whenever-you-have-a-sorcerer-betwixt-your-thighs-your-powers-tend-to/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [A good critic is the sorcerer who makes some hidden spring gush forth unexpectedly under our feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-mauriac/a-good-critic-is-the-sorcerer-who-makes-some-hidden-spring-gush-forth/) [Francois Mauriac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-mauriac/) ## More by Barry Commoner > [The gap between brute power and human need continues to grow, as the power fattens on the same faulty technology that intensifies the need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-gap-between-brute-power-and-human-need-continues-to-grow-as-the/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [The methods that EPA introduced after 1970 to reduce air-pollutant emissions worked for a while, but over time have become progressively less effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-methods-that-epa-introduced-after-1970-to-reduce-air-pollutant/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [Sooner or later, wittingly or unwittingly, we must pay for every intrusion on the natural environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/sooner-or-later-wittingly-or-unwittingly-we-must-pay-for-every/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [Environmental concern is now firmly embedded in public life: in education, medicine and law; in journalism, literature and art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/environmental-concern-is-now-firmly-embedded-in-public-life-in/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [Environmental pollution is an incurable disease. It can only be prevented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/environmental-pollution-is-an-incurable-disease-it-can-only-be/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [In nature, no organic substance is synthesized unless there is provision for its degradation; recycling is enforced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/in-nature-no-organic-substance-is-synthesized-unless-there-is/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [We are in an environmental crisis which threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/we-are-in-an-environmental-crisis-which-threatens-the-survival-of/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [I don't believe in environmentalism as the solution to anything. What I believe is that environmentalism illuminates the things that need to be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/i-don-t-believe-in-environmentalism-as-the-solution-to-anything-what/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [The environmental crisis is somber evidence of an insidious fraud hidden in the vaunted productivity and wealth of modern, technology-based society. This wealth has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-environmental-crisis-is-somber-evidence-of-an-insidious-fraud/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [The most meaningful engine of change, powerful enough to confront corporate power, may be not so much environmental quality, as the economic development and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-most-meaningful-engine-of-change-powerful-enough-to-confront/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [The environmental crisis is a sign that the ecosphere is now so heavily strained that its continued stability is threatened. It is a warning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-environmental-crisis-is-a-sign-that-the-ecosphere-is-now-so/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [It reflects a prevailing myth that production technology is no more amenable to human judgment or social interests than the laws of thermodynamics, atomic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/it-reflects-a-prevailing-myth-that-production-technology-is-no-more/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [Seen that way, the wholesale transformation of production technologies that is mandated by pollution prevention creates a new surge of economic development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/seen-that-way-the-wholesale-transformation-of-production-technologies/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [Recycling is a good thing to do. It makes people feel good to do it. The thing I want to emphasize is the vast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/recycling-is-a-good-thing-to-do-it-makes-people-feel-good-to-do-it/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [Finally, since human beings are uniquely capable of producing materials not found in nature, environmental degradation may be due to the resultant intrusion into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/finally-since-human-beings-are-uniquely-capable-of-producing/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) [Explore all 69 Barry Commoner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) ## More Apprentice quotes > [Donald Trump said he will not decide about a possible run for the presidency until after the current season of Celebrity Apprentice wraps up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/donald-trump-said-he-will-not-decide-about-a-possible-run-for-the/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I'm a working-class former apprentice electrician; at the age of 14, if you'd told me I would one day be standing on a stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gordon-sinclair/i-m-a-working-class-former-apprentice-electrician-at-the-age-of-14-if/) [John Gordon Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gordon-sinclair/) > [Thanks to NBC News and thanks to the NBC primetime TV network, Donald Trump has been in living rooms for 11 years being who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/thanks-to-nbc-news-and-thanks-to-the-nbc-primetime-tv-network-donald/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Faith in your new apprentice, misplaced may be. As is your faith in the dark side of the Force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/faith-in-your-new-apprentice-misplaced-may-be-as-is-your-faith-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/when-by-habit-a-man-cometh-to-have-a-bargaining-soul-its-wings-are/) [Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/) > [“If Education was a guild, I would still be an apprentice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/if-education-was-a-guild-i-would-still-be-an-apprentice/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [The professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-professional-respects-his-craft-he-does-not-consider-himself/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [You're an Apprentice! You're not ready to think!" Gilan and Halt. The Ruins of Gorlan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-re-an-apprentice-you-re-not-ready-to-think-gilan-and-halt-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Had it not been for 'The Apprentice' and Donald Trump, I wouldn't have met my wife through an interview with 'E! News.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rancic/had-it-not-been-for-the-apprentice-and-donald-trump-i-wouldn-t-have/) [Bill Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rancic/) > [The first time I saw Giggsy, he was playing for Salford Boys against United's apprentices. He was thin and wiry but he just glided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-robson/the-first-time-i-saw-giggsy-he-was-playing-for-salford-boys-against/) [Bryan Robson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-robson/) > [Capitalism is the sorcerer's apprentice: it has summoned up powers which have spun wildly out of control and now threaten to destroy us.The task…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/capitalism-is-the-sorcerer-s-apprentice-it-has-summoned-up-powers/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [Donald Trump isn't really running for president, come on! This is obviously a new reality show, Celebrity Presidential Apprentice. It ends with the incompetent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-r-burch/donald-trump-isn-t-really-running-for-president-come-on-this-is/) [Michael R. Burch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-r-burch/) > [Music is my life. The last job I had, I was a bricklayer's apprentice. And I was happy with that job, too, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/music-is-my-life-the-last-job-i-had-i-was-a-bricklayer-s-apprentice/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [Every bad joke, every endorsement deal, all of the things that a typical host would normally get creamed for, people don't mind, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/every-bad-joke-every-endorsement-deal-all-of-the-things-that-a/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > [I don't regret putting 'The Apprentice' on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-zucker/i-don-t-regret-putting-the-apprentice-on-television/) [Jeff Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-zucker/) [Browse all 175 Apprentice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprentice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more 'sorcerer's apprentice'.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barry Commoner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer-and-more-sorcerer-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Apprentice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer-and-more-sorcerer-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/barry-commoner-9980_apprentice_the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer_2335699.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more 'sorcerer's apprentice'.” — Barry Commoner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barry Commoner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer'...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer-and-more-sorcerer-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/the-modern-technologist-is-less-sorcerer-and-more-sorcerer-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```