Written Language
The development and the reliance upon written modes of language are symbolic of humanity’s departure from Oral Tradition. Moreover it marks a departure from human-animal reliance and symbolic of the true beginning of humanity’s the reliance upon technology as writing is a technology precursor, essentially allowing all other forms of technology to emerge as a result of its development.
The Computer
The computer is both a natural progression of writing as a form of technology and symbolic of humanity’s departure from Written Traditions to digital traditions. It is also symbolic of the development of a new form economic power. During the industrial age the wealth of a nation was measured in its capacity and capability to produce hard commodities and goods. The arrival of the computer turned information and software programs into commodities every bit as valuable as steel or lumber that could be used to bolster a country’s position on the global stage.
The Internet
The internet may be interpreted as a symbolic of humanity’s growing obsession with speed, efficiency, and interconnectivity. The arrival of the device upon the global stage marks the departure from isolated devices whose computational capabilities were limited by its own software. It is also symbolic of the development of a truly global culture and bringing down of certain cultural barriers as the computer has proven to be a great equalizer allowing people to engage in business with relatively little capital or achieve stardom with relatively little resources or connections.
Artificial Intelligence
The ultimate expression of Written Language is to be able to create the simulacra of self-awareness; the creation of A.I.’s is the closest that humanity will get to the divine act of creating a being in “his image and likeness.” The author, along with other scientist, call for caution and thorough consideration in the continuous development of A.I.’s because as with many emergent forms of technology there is still a vast gulf of unknown territory that must be crossed before it can be deemed safe. After one peels away the clever talk and the cyber-babble one thing is clear though: the objective of the development of A.I. tech is to create smarter devices that humanity can interact with like other humans with the purpose of having these hyper-intelligent machines serving mankind. Artificial Intelligence, therefore, can be seen as a symbol of humanity’s hubris. Rather than looking for another race to enslave he turns to the fabrication of a new servitor race.
Social Media Platforms
The development of social media platforms are symbolic of humanity’s obsession with shallow interpersonal connections and proof positive that computers and the internet have changed the way humanity interacts with each other in ways that are still being understood. Social media is a carefully curated social projection of a private person, hence other people will only really see what another person is willing to reveal, even if that means showing a completely fabricated, idealized image of themselves.