--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you invent the ship, you also invent…" description: "\"When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck; when you invent the plane you also invent the plane crash; and when you invent electricity, yo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/paul-virilio-2130_carrie_when-you-invent-the-ship-you-also-invent_2696062.png" --- # When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck… ![“When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck; when you invent the plane you also invent the plane crash; and when you invent electricity, you invent electrocution...Every technology carries its own negativity, which is invented at the same time as technical progress.” quote by Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/paul-virilio-2130_carrie_when-you-invent-the-ship-you-also-invent_2696062.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/paul-virilio-2130_carrie_when-you-invent-the-ship-you-also-invent_2696062.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/paul-virilio-2130_carrie_when-you-invent-the-ship-you-also-invent_2696062.png) > “When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck; when you invent the plane you also invent the plane crash; and when you invent electricity, you invent electrocution...Every technology carries its own negativity, which is invented at the same time as technical progress.” [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) ## 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 inherently create the potential for their own misuse or disaster. **In simple terms:** Every new tech brings its own risks. Key Takeaway Anticipate and mitigate negative impacts. Themes technology risk progress ethics Mood cautious critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - product design - risk assessment - public safety Key Concepts dual-use unintended consequences systemic risk Questions to Reflect On - How can we design safeguards for emerging tech? - What responsibilities do creators have? A Different Perspective Negativity may be overstated; benefits can outweigh risks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Carrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carrie/) [Crash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crash/) [Electricity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electricity/) [Electricity Invent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electricity-invent-2696777/) [Invent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invent/) [Invent Electricity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invent-electricity-2298128/) [Invent Ship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invent-ship-2696779/) [Negativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negativity/) [Plane crash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane-crash/) [Plane crashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane-crashes/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Ship Invent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ship-invent-2696778/) [Ships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ships/) [Shipwreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shipwreck/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [“If you give a boy a lake and a log he will very rapidly invent the ship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-brophy/if-you-give-a-boy-a-lake-and-a-log-he-will-very-rapidly-invent-the/) [Patrick Brophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-brophy/) > [“What's the big deal with Bejamin Frankin, anyway? 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