One that I think comes up often is the robots/automation metaphor. Technology has reduced 90% or more of farm labour needs, multiplied industrial output many times, etc. We've seen a lot of automation, but it's been vague economics.
When we think back on these things, we see technology, tools, & machines like tractors and looms. When we look forward we see robots and automation.
Practically this has 2 effects. First, we come back with a Jetsons lime picture, everything is the same as a regular hotel but the maid is a robot, the front desk is an ATM, the barman is a robot arm and the resteraunt is a Japanese conveyor belt. Robots are human shaped metaphors for technology, placeholders for unknowns.
Second, we think in terms of replacement. In reality, it's really more like efficiency. A tractor still uses a farmer, but requires a lot less time and effort to get a field ploughed. Again, there's a difference in how we think when looking back or forward.
When we think back on these things, we see technology, tools, & machines like tractors and looms. When we look forward we see robots and automation.
Practically this has 2 effects. First, we come back with a Jetsons lime picture, everything is the same as a regular hotel but the maid is a robot, the front desk is an ATM, the barman is a robot arm and the resteraunt is a Japanese conveyor belt. Robots are human shaped metaphors for technology, placeholders for unknowns.
Second, we think in terms of replacement. In reality, it's really more like efficiency. A tractor still uses a farmer, but requires a lot less time and effort to get a field ploughed. Again, there's a difference in how we think when looking back or forward.