Each new tool we create ends an old relationship with the world and starts a new one. And we're changed by that relationship, inevitably. It changes the way we live, changes our patterns, changes our social organization.
Ellen UllmanRead
So many people for so many years have promoted technology as the answer to everything. The economy wasn't growing: technology. Poor people: technology. Illness: technology. As if, somehow, technology in and of itself would be a solution. Yet machine values are not always human values.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Technology is often viewed as a comprehensive solution, but it does not necessarily align with human values.
Ellen Ullman's quote critiques the common belief that technology can solve all societal issues, such as economic growth, poverty, and health problems. She argues that while technology is a powerful tool, it does not inherently possess values that address the complex emotional, ethical, and social dimensions of human life, suggesting that reliance on technology alone can lead to a disconnect between human needs and technological advancement.
Themes
TechnologyValuesHumanSocietySolution
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on the impact of technology on society, this quote can be used to spark discussion about ethical considerations in tech development.
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All quotes →To be a programmer is to develop a carefully managed relationship with error. There's no getting around it. You either make your accommodations with failure, or the work will become intolerable.
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