Technology […] is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in
the back with the other.
—C. P. Snow, 1971
25
For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press
three.
—Alice Kahn
26
We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.
—Douglas Adams, 2002
If it works, it is out of date.
—Stafford Beer, 1981
The technology of mass-production is inherently violent, ecologically damaging,
self-defeating in terms of non-renewable resources, and stultifying the human person.
—E. F. Schumacher, 1973
Modern technology
owes ecology
an apology.
—Alan M. Eddison, 1969
Alas! can we ring the bell backward? Can we unlearn the arts that pretend to civilize, and
then burn the world? There is a march of science; but who shall beat the drums for its
retreat?
—Charles Lamb, 1830
Whatever Nature has in store for mankind, unpleasant as it may be, men must accept, for
ignorance is never better than knowledge.
—Enrico Fermi
27
Since we have no choice but to be swept along by this vast technological surge, we might as
well learn to surf.
—Michael E. Soulé, 1989
The question of engineering should be of interest not only to those of us who are engineers,
but to the entire public which lives in an engineering world.
—Karl Taylor Compton, 1955
Novels that leave out technology misrepresent life as badly as Victorians misrepresented
life by leaving out sex.
—Kurt Vonnegut, 2005
25
Sometimes misattributed to Carrie Snow.
26
As quoted, without a date, by George Tillman in 1993.
27
As quoted, without a date, by Laura Fermi in 1954.
On Science and Technology
37
the back with the other.
—C. P. Snow, 1971
25
For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press
three.
—Alice Kahn
26
We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.
—Douglas Adams, 2002
If it works, it is out of date.
—Stafford Beer, 1981
The technology of mass-production is inherently violent, ecologically damaging,
self-defeating in terms of non-renewable resources, and stultifying the human person.
—E. F. Schumacher, 1973
Modern technology
owes ecology
an apology.
—Alan M. Eddison, 1969
Alas! can we ring the bell backward? Can we unlearn the arts that pretend to civilize, and
then burn the world? There is a march of science; but who shall beat the drums for its
retreat?
—Charles Lamb, 1830
Whatever Nature has in store for mankind, unpleasant as it may be, men must accept, for
ignorance is never better than knowledge.
—Enrico Fermi
27
Since we have no choice but to be swept along by this vast technological surge, we might as
well learn to surf.
—Michael E. Soulé, 1989
The question of engineering should be of interest not only to those of us who are engineers,
but to the entire public which lives in an engineering world.
—Karl Taylor Compton, 1955
Novels that leave out technology misrepresent life as badly as Victorians misrepresented
life by leaving out sex.
—Kurt Vonnegut, 2005
25
Sometimes misattributed to Carrie Snow.
26
As quoted, without a date, by George Tillman in 1993.
27
As quoted, without a date, by Laura Fermi in 1954.
On Science and Technology
37