19th century Quote by Noam Chomsky
“The big change, the really radical change in communication, was in the late 19th century. The shift from sailing ships to telegraph is astronomical. Everything since then has been small increments, including the internet.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Historical communication analysis, date unknown
Highlights the 19th‑century shift from sail to telegraph as a massive leap, with later tech advances being incremental.
In simple terms: Early tech jumps were huge; later ones small.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the scale of past innovations.
Themes
technology
history
communication
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
educational
historical
When to use this quote
- educational talks
- media studies
- policy planning
- strategic forecasting
Key Concepts
innovation diffusion
incremental change
technological impact
Questions to Reflect On
- What current tech could be a future “telegraph”?
- How do incremental changes shape society?
A Different Perspective
Modern tech may be over‑valued compared to past revolutions.
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