Wizards

Arthur C. Clarke is famously quoted for observing that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” It’s been two thousand years since the Roman’s crucified a wise man who is arguably the most famous figure in Western history. We’ve come far away from the mechanics of pulleys, levers and gears. Telescopes, combustion engines, microwaves, liquid crystal display screens, not to mention every power tool in existence, would have looked like magic to Jesus.

I’m not surprised at how technologically ignorant commoners are encouraged to be. Cellular devices have turned into magic mirrors that can juggle around our artificially sophisticated lives of self-defined aristocracy. The common person is not expected to know anything about telecommunications or program code (on top of a broad range of other subjects). With the parabolic overreach of technology, it’s no wonder machines are being compared to magic.

Anyone who can solder a circuit board, set up a wifi network, program a mobile app, or has any idea how to use relevant applied consumer technology has to hide behind the label of “techie” to explain their “intellectual prowess.” This is eerily similar from history’s obsession with pointing out the scientifically knowledgeable as wizards, prophets and witches. Are we still living in the Dark ages?

I say why set the bar lower than being able to understand our ability to manipulate the world? Why not use education to teach the basics of antiquated physics hacking? Why not let everyone carry the mantle of wizardry? Radio used to be an individual hobby a century ago; people built receivers and transmitters to communicate with strangers about sports and politics. Now we go straight to Google when controller pads won’t sync to their gaming console.

With technology giving us an almost complete awareness of history and the world, it’s time for a reinvigorated pride in understanding the physics that run our culture, instead of letting ourselves stand on the shoulders of scholars and industrial plants and asking for innovation within the sonnet of a sellout. It’s time for a generation that prides itself on its own intellect. It’s time for a wizard revolution.