Practices change: principles remain
Hang on! Before you take in what’s below – check out the full version of our newsletter here. Every Tuesday we bring you essential stories on big ideas and better business. See you there!
?
‘The world is at a moment of unprecedented technological change.’ Almost every conference keynote and whitepaper seems to start with this phrase, or some variation of it. While AI and associated digital tools will alter the world in unimaginable ways, none of it is as out of the ordinary as the hype would have us believe. In fact, I would venture that the coming wave of disruption isn’t that unprecedented at all. A short history lesson shows exactly how precedented it all is.
?
The first information revolution happened long before digital. Johannes Gutenberg was a German inventor and craftsman living in Strasbourg from around 1434. He invented the world’s first movable type printing press – a means of spreading knowledge via affordable books and manuscripts. Gutenberg’s efforts fundamentally altered the society and helped give way to The Renaissance.
?
The story shows a curious number of parallels to how modern tech start-ups operate. First, Gutenberg needed the confidence of a small number of wealthy investors to bankroll his development phase. Then he built in total secrecy (today that’s called building in ‘stealth’). The first crowning achievement of ‘artificial writing ‘ was the ’42-Line Bible’. As well as this, the story includes debt defaults, lawsuits, co-founder spats, and – eventually – Gutenberg was ousted from the company he built.
?
领英推荐
Public reception to the invention mirrors the anxiety we see about AI today. Scribes concerned for their livelihoods banded together and vandalised printing presses. The church proclaimed that the innovation was devilry, and Pope Alexander VI vowed to excommunicate anyone who printed without permission. Monks also pointed to poor spelling in print.
?
Those who view technology with suspicion today should examine its effect on yesterday. The fundamental goal of creativity doesn't change. Great communication speaks to the human spirit, creates culture, and fights ignorance. The way in which we make these things happen shifts radically. But while practices change: principles remain.
Economic R&D Advisor
2 个月The reality of our current economic situation is that modern slavery is at its worst level for 400 years. HMRC has found legacy background servers used for trafficking people and they’re trafficked for ideas and business creation then not duly paid and pushed out. HMRC recognises this and that it’s criminal linked to organised crime. Its a bit different to opening your own business and then losing control of it to others as there is no upside, no recognition and no true pay at any point. Incredible but true.
Creator Economy Sherpa | Award Winning Curator, Moderator & Speaker | "Inside the Creator Economy" Newsletter | Board of Director | Geek
2 个月Everyone should visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz Germany. If you have more than a 5-hour layover you can get there via train and see it. But it's absolutely worth it. Agree 100% with this.
Breezin
2 个月Hard work never goes out of fashion, and so does precedented. This process is not new and known to people since the invention of fire. Every day is an invention. People coming to work and discovering love still exists. That becomes their invention in new and strange ways. Inventions not in the air. But real facts.
Partner and Creative Director at SINC-IT and FOR[IN]
2 个月Really good thanks ??
Creative Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Brand Growth Partner at Made By Giants recently awarded Small Consultancy of the Year @PRCA Dare Award, Gold Award @Transform Europe, Best Start-Up Agency @Global Social Media Awards
2 个月Isn't it amazing we are still doing stuff that someone did 600 years ago