--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the technology is only trivial…" description: "\"“But the technology is only trivial retrospectively—not prospectively.”\" — Nassim Nicholas Taleb" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c09/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_technology_but-the-technology-is-only-trivial-retro_1232843.png" --- # But the technology is only trivial retrospectively—not… ![“But the technology is only trivial retrospectively—not prospectively.” quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c09/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_technology_but-the-technology-is-only-trivial-retro_1232843.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c09/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_technology_but-the-technology-is-only-trivial-retro_1232843.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c09/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_technology_but-the-technology-is-only-trivial-retro_1232843.png) > ““But the technology is only trivial retrospectively—not prospectively.”” [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technological advances seem trivial after they succeed, but predicting their future impact is highly uncertain. **In simple terms:** We only see tech's value after it works. Key Takeaway Plan for uncertainty, not just hindsight. Themes technology uncertainty prediction risk innovation Mood cautious analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - investment decisions - policy making - product development - strategic planning Key Concepts Antifragility future studies systems thinking Questions to Reflect On - How can we better anticipate disruptive tech? - What safeguards reduce surprise failures? A Different Perspective Overreliance on past success can blind future risks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Common sense … has the very curious property of being more correct retrospectively than prospectively. 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