Adam Engelhart

Placepiece

October 11th, 2005

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

–Arthur C. Clarke

Gizmodo linked to this article about a clock inspired by the Weasleys’ familial-position indicator from the Harry Potter books. While the device in its current form is almost pure whimsy (I personally hope there’s some way for J. K. Rowling to block its manufacture unless they include “mortal peril” at the 12 o’clock position), Gizmodo’s treatment raises the central technology-and-culture issue: if technology changes such that it’s possible to verify things that we couldn’t before, should we necessarily do so, or is this “leakage” necessary for a healthy society?

Of course, this is far too much to cover in one blog post composed between Property and Civ Pro, but I’m going to point out that this is part of what made me leave the technology field. The problem of Pandora’s box got too disturbing, and I wasn’t sure I could help the good guys win. The whole truth is much more complicated, but I feel a lot more at peace in the world of law.

Entry Filed under: Culture, Technology