The humanity of machines

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April 24, 2006 by Jim Parker in future, technology

All machines are human.

Some would question whether there is anything human about a robotic welder on the factory floor, or a stamping machine that stamps out quarter panels for a new car, or a 1000 node grid computer, or even a bolt.

Let’s consider the humanity of the bolt. This is a wonderful piece of technology that solves a uniquely human problem. It attaches one thing to another. These “fastening systems” as they are called today had a much simpler past.

I don’t know when fasteners were first used by humans or exactly what form they took. Perhaps it was the use of wooden pegs to keep pieces of wood together. Or maybe it was the use of strands of grass twisted and woven together to attach a thatch roof to a dwelling of some sort. Either way, man has always had a need to attach one thing to another (among other needs too – of course). But when homo sapiens first showed up on the planet, they didn’t immediately have the ability to attach things. They didn’t inherently know that if you get this such and such kind of grass and twist it like such and such that you could create a kind of rope that could then be used to attach one thing to another thing.

Homo sapiens didn’t even have tools at first. But over time – a long time – they started figuring stuff out. Technology was born. And it was nothing but human. Technology was man’s uniquely human solution to a uniquely human problem. It defined what it meant to be a human. It distinguished man from animal.

That’s right. And it’s that simple. Somebody or some group of early homo sapiens figured something out, and then shared it with others. Little by little, through collaboration, adaptation, and new innovations, the string or rope was improved. That knowledge was then passed from generation to generation. If it worked well enough, solved a problem that needed solving, and didn’t have to compete with a similar but superior technologies then it survived. Sounds kind of like a contemporary business strategy, doesn’t it?

But that’s what human’s do. They solve the problems posed by their environment.

Early man, just like contemporary man, was quite resourceful. He invented language, tools, shelter, food harvesting technology, etc, etc,.

The epitome of what it means to be human is to have the ability to adapt to any circumstance the planet can throw at it. Through innovation of ideas and technologies and constant communication of those innovations to future generations we humans can adapt in ways that animals could never dream of (if they actually do dream). This is something that animals can only achieve through evolution – mutations of genes – bad ones dying, good ones living – survival of the fittest – natural selection.
Which brings me to my point: Humanity’s success is not dependent on biological evolution by natural selection as animals are limited to. We can pass on ideas and technology. Animals can only pass on genes – and it takes generations and generations to actually pass on good ones.

Humanity’s success is dependent on our ability to resourcefully solve the problems of the day and our life through innovation and then pass those innovations on to our children. This cycle of innovation and communication is human. This innovation brings technology. Technology makes our lives better because that’s what we built it for.

Technology is all about being human.

2 Comments »

Jim,
I found you through our mutual pal, Anton Zuiker. As I always do with a new blog, I went to the first entry, to soak up that writer’s DNA, and I must say I was blown away by your wonderful riff on the value of blogging. That’s wonderful stuff. I look forward to occasionally returning to read about your progress. Good luck in everything you’re doing.

Comment by John Ettorre — April 25, 2006 @ 8:28 am
John,
Thanks for your kind words and support.

Comment by Jim Parker — April 25, 2006 @ 10:19 am