In a pocket of time today I met with undergrads Ashley and Molly about a project in their anthropology class. Our discussion was centered around the question of whether technology is constructive or destructive to the practice of art and design. I referred them to the work of historian Lewis Mumford which speaks to most of what I’ve learned and experienced first hand with my experiments in technology. One of my favorite quotes:

“However far modern science and techniques have fallen short of their inherent possibilities, they have taught mankind at least one lesson; nothing is impossible.”

Mumford waxes positively and negatively about technology (or “technics” as he calls it) in many of his writings – something I’ve always been quite sympathetic towards. -JM