On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 12:45:40PM +0530, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > > > On 28/01/12 6:26 AM, Charles Haynes wrote: >> I would argue for the scientific method, or mathematics. > > It can be argued that neither of the above would have got any traction > without the invention of writing, no?
It seems that telecommunication/computing relates to writing as writing relates to spoken language -- with the added advantage of being able to build abstract machines, which proliferate and function without the context of its human authors, or even a human at all in the loop. It's pretty obvious that abstract machines will be able to become flesh as soon as sufficiently useful rapid prototyping systems become available to end users. Consider how rapidly eBooks overtook the dead tree as soon as good-enough substitutes became available. I'm seeing 10^6 volume pirate libraries around, so inviduals can easily obtain and own what used to be a major national resource. The only fly in the ointment is that we were born too soon. Most of interesting things will happen when we're past caring.
