The New Spear

Circa half a million years ago mankind realised that he could increase his productivity, and thus his survivability, by augmenting his physical capability. By creating the spear, he was now able to turn his own energy into a weapon that could apply a large force to a very small area, thus piercing the skin of the recipient.

In creating the spear, mankind in effect took charge of his evolutionary destiny. He also inadvertently created the technology industry.

Today, most of us do not carry spears. But we do carry spear-like equivalents; most typically smartphones. Have you considered why you feel so vulnerable on days when you forget to take your phone with you, or when it runs out of charge?

Like our ancestors, we see advantages in augmenting ourselves. The human need to be mobile and social is embraced in this new spear. Once someone develops a taser app, then the similarities with its predecessor will be obvious to all.

One wonders how not so long ago we were able to survive without our digital spear.