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The World Hidden Before Us.

By Ken Stewart on January 8, 2009

Sunday night I swung by for Chinese takeout. I love Chicken Lo Mein… Part of the joy of eating Chinese food has always been the fortune cookie. It’s not only the lightly sweetened taste of the cookie, but the hidden fortune inside.

I have begun to judge restaurants based upon the quality of these little treats – even shunning some while choosing others. The fortunes always give me a time to reflect upon the thought and ask questions.

Hokey, probably – but fun, most certainly!

When I opened the fortune cookie inside was a wonderful quote that really gave me some food for thought,

Technology is the art of arranging the world so we do not notice it.

At first glance, I was amazed at how succinct and wonderful this fortune was. In a previous post, The Heart of a Technologist, I said,

I see so many who seem to be on a quest for self-glory or the latest discovery, much like Ponce de Leon’s search for the infamous Fountain of Youth. Some may serve through discovery or creation, while some offer their service in the form of repair or maintenance. When at our best, we operate behind the scenes, unnoticed and under cover of dark, weaving our magic webs of security and five-nine’s availability.

In essence, I had thought the script read that when technology was working as it should, it was invisible.

However, as I rolled this around in my mind, much like tasting a great glass of wine, I began to wonder if it instead meant that technology got in the way of seeing the world for what it is. With communication coming at us in all directions and everything from coworkers to advertisers vying for our attention, are we too connected? Does the noise distract us from seeing the beauty?

These are all great questions for technologist and lay-person alike to ponder. Are you sure you walk your critical path in life? What gets in the way of you seeing life as you should?

Image credit: zzzack

Ken Stewart’s blog, ChangeForge.com, focuses on the collision between the constantly changing worlds of business and technology. To learn more about Ken, visit his about page. You may also find Ken on FriendFeed, Twitter, and LinkedIn.


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Ken Stewart

People-focused, business-minded, technology-savvy leader who likes to ask: "Why?"

  • Maybe THAT is the question we should ask. How SHOULD we see life (the world)? Or more importantly how SHOULDN'T we see life?
    It really is a matter of perspective. And one's perspective is a shadow of one's reality.
    I think this perspective is the sole reason why technology can and does help and hinder our world.
    The great thing about this process is the amount of control you have over technology's participation in your reality.
    As always. Great stuff to read my friend.
  • Thanks, Strong. My belief is that control is an illusion. I do not mean in a conspiracy theory fashion, but that life happens... it is left to us how we react to life's events. Even being "proactive" is simply our attempt to exert control over future events based upon past experience.

    However, it is my belief that our role in life is to try and make an impact through works of service. Technology is often placed as a panacea, and it does most certainly help. As you say, it is our role to not allow technology to control us - or take away our ability to choose how we react to its benefits and pitfalls.
  • Great insight there. I recall the term "ubiquitous" often being used before. They say a technology has reached that point when it begins to become part of our everyday life.
  • ... without which we could not imagine life? Google, cell phones, computers... very salient point.
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