Another video lifted from BoingBoing. I hope this doesn't become me vomitting up boingboing material. Although, at least I'll be adding my thoughts. Anyway, below is a video of a 1773 creation from a silversmith and an inventor (whose name funnily enough was John Merlin). It's really incredible to think sometime like this was made that long ago. It's stunningly beautiful and ode to humility in technology. Can you imagine what the guy who made this must have thought we would be capable of in 2010, if he could make something so awesome in 1773? I'd love to see his idea of the future.
If I may Julie -- I LOVE that you enjoy this piece so much. And I totally agree with you. It's beautiful. But I have a pessimistic view -- where you are optimistic. You say what if he lived today -- think of all the amazing things he would do. I wish I could believe that. I think that the world we live in is SO cluttered, with SO many stimuli (most of which are created by technology) that some of the most beautiful minds are being wasted (either they are confused and unable to find their niche or they are completely taken over by technology and essentially jello-fied :). I fear that the masters of the past would be wasted in today's technology-driven society. Anyway, that's my two cents.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Kate. I guess I was trying to get at the fact that if he could do something so amazing back then, think of what great dreams he would have had for us, and I wonder if we've even come close to those expectations. Although, its interesting to think he used such great technology for something that was purely artistic or entertainment. That tends to be where most of our tech is too I guess. Maybe not art as much as entertainment. Anyway, I wonder if he'd be disappointed with us too.
ReplyDeleteTechnology will take over the world. Just watch I, Robot.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean the 1773 swan will attack us?
ReplyDeleteYes. Haven't you seen the movie Black Swan?
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