Opening the stacks
Opening the stacks
The process by which technology increases the speed and convenience of life, impacting work, communication, and social interactions.
3 chapters across 3 books
This chapter introduces the concept of 'The Great Acceleration,' describing how the pace of life globally is increasing due to technological, cultural, and economic factors. It explores the phenomenon of entrainment, where individuals unconsciously synchronize their pace with others, influenced by urban environments and cultural norms. The chapter also discusses the dual nature of acceleration: while it brings economic prosperity and innovation, it also leads to stress, addiction, and social challenges, highlighting that society has actively chosen this fast-paced lifestyle despite its costs.
The prologue of Engine City explores the emergence and evolution of consciousness from extremophile nanobacteria in asteroids to vast collective minds known as gods, and their interactions with various intelligent species including squids, saurs, and humans. It recounts an ancient cataclysm caused by the gods to stop the disruptive mining activities of octopods, the subsequent seeding of new biospheres by saurs and krakens, and the eventual arrival of humans in the Solar System who unknowingly become entangled with these cosmic intelligences. The chapter ends with humans acquiring advanced space travel technology from a god inhabiting an asteroid, leading to their unexpected journey to the Second Sphere and setting the stage for future conflicts.
The chapter 'Fear of Technology' examines the complex psychological and social dimensions of technophobia, focusing on electrosensitivity as a case where sufferers experience real distress despite lack of scientific causal evidence. It explores how online communities and social media amplify fears and extremist views, contrasting Neo-Luddite critiques with transhumanist optimism, while emphasizing the anxiety caused by rapid technological acceleration that outpaces human adaptation. The text argues for the importance of technology transparency and informed understanding to maintain self-determination and psychological well-being amid fast-paced societal change.