Attention Quote by William Gibson
“I watch for emergent technologies and pay attention to what people say they'll be good for, then see what we actually use them for. It never occurred to me that a tiny telephone with a wireless transceiver would do whatever it is that it's done to us.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Tech Futures Podcast, 2023
Observes that emerging tech is often hyped before real-world utility becomes clear, using the telephone as a hindsight example.
In simple terms: Tech hype precedes practical use; we often misjudge future impact.
Key Takeaway
Stay skeptical of hype and focus on actual adoption.
Themes
technology
skepticism
innovation
adoption
history
Mood
analytical
cautious
reflective
Type
explanatory
thought‑provoking
informative
When to use this quote
- evaluating new gadgets
- investing in startups
- planning tech strategy
- educating teams on realistic timelines
- assessing market readiness
Key Concepts
diffusion of innovation
prediction bias
technology lifecycle
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria help you assess true utility?
- How can you balance optimism with realism?
A Different Perspective
Hype can drive premature investment and disappointment.
![“[With Photosynth,] all of those photos become linked together, and they make something emergent that's greater than the sum of the parts.” quote by Blaise Aguera y Arcas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/672/blaise-aguera-y-arcas-79881_greater_with-photosynth-all-of-those-photos-beco_1318849.jpg)
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
