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Tools and the Development of Contemporary Society

From the first stone hammer to modern day technology, our ability to make and propensity to use tools influences our physical, mental, and social evolution. At every step we make choices—for better or worse—that determine the challenges we face.

The Impact of Digital Technologies

Technological tools developed over the past 50 years have transformed human life like nothing before. Computers have revolutionized every aspect of life in the 21st century: communication, social relationships, commerce, politics—even creativity. Some of these impacts have been negative and damaging. These changes are only accelerating, so it is critical that we do our best to understand—and control—them.

The Impact of Digital Technologies

Technological tools developed over the past 50 years have transformed human life like nothing before. Computers have revolutionized every aspect of life in the 21st century: communication, social relationships, commerce, politics—even creativity. Some of these impacts have been negative and damaging. These changes are only accelerating, so it is critical that we do our best to understand—and control—them.

External Stories and Videos

Estonia, The Digital Republic

Estonia, The Digital Republic

Nathan Heller, New Yorker

A government effort to transform the country from a state into a digital society has made Estonian life more efficient. Through its government sponsored nation-wide digital network, citizens of Estonia can handle almost all aspects of their daily lives online and even extended the opportunity and benefits to residents of other countries. The project shows how a truly global, borderless society can function.

The Case Against Civilization: Did Our Hunter-Gatherer Ancestors Have It Better?

The Case Against Civilization: Did Our Hunter-Gatherer Ancestors Have It Better?

John Lanchester, New Yorker

We flatter ourselves, says Lanchester, by believing that the “dark age” existence of our hunter-gatherer progenitors was so grim and our modern, civilized one so great. Drawing on two recent works he suggests this may not be the case. Is there a lesson to be learned from the radical egalitarianism of their hunter-gatherer way of life?

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