What is humankind's greatest invention?

[JonD]

Simple question. Make sure to support your opinion with at least a sentence.

I'd say the printing press, since its invention allowed the distribution of written works on an unprecedented scale.

[Mozzes]

Natural human language which is what has made everything else possible.

[Dave C C]

Alcohol, cleans up dirty water.

[sam988]

I agree with Mozzes.

[PHS Philip]

Language, maybe, but I think that language has a large enough instinctual component that it doesn't count as an invention.

So instead, I'm going to say the scientific method. It's brought us almost every other major advance in history.

[xtremegeek]

Electricty. With the invention of electricty, technology has soared. And it's electricity which allowed mankind to move away from an owner/slave method of building and inventing. The cultural change brought on by electricity is quite extrodinary.

I vote electricty!

[Fej]

Call me modern, but I'd have to say the internet.

[TheLastMohican]

I would say language but for my opinion that language is too hard to define as an invention. It came in many different forms, and occurred rather naturally, with no single person developing the initial rules and grammar. Should we also credit chimpanzees with the "invention" of their communicative facial expressions?

My vote goes to the yoke. It brought us out of the dark ages, and allowed technology to advance to its present level and beyond.

Electricty. With the invention of electricty, technology has soared. And it's electricity which allowed mankind to move away from an owner/slave method of building and inventing. The cultural change brought on by electricity is quite extrodinary.

I vote electricty!

Wouldn't that be a dsicovery rather than an invention?

[moon]

Frige.:suspicious:
Or WC toilet bowl.

[deevee]

Bicycles. The most energy efficient vehicle ever. Runs on whatever fuel you run your body on.

[abski83]

The wheel is humankind's greatest invention for me.

There are so many things made and can still be made using this round object. It has helped humankind do so much more than before it was invented.

Moving objects, making things operate better, being used as basis for making more inventions,... Just some of the things why I think it's the greatest so far...;)

[Ijz]

Cooking or any other form of pre-preparation of food. It makes food much safer to eat but more importantly, cooked food requires less energy to break down, thus freeing up more energy for the brain. Better brains lead to better ideas. Better ideas lead to new advances, and so on, and so on ...

[Josh]

I would have to agree with the internet, with television coming in a close second. There is nothing that has done more to increase the collective knowledge of the human race and therefore make so many subsequent discoveries possible. The evolution of technology has followed a parabollic trajectory since the human race began thanks primarily to global communication.

[cyphergzip37]

Internet. That could be broken down into smaller components but definitely Internet. Freedom of speech, knowledge and ideas; if its integrity/anonymity can be maintained; it really has the power to elevate mankind to a new level.

[Mozzes]

If you've seen some of the stuff I've seen, brother, you'd probably agree that the internet has supplanted the atom bomb as Humankind's greatest and most terrifying invention...

[redbaren]

Wars, so we can stop killing our planet.

[demaugustus]

Language, at least in the definition referred to, may not be a human invention; some evolutionary anthropologists believe Homo erectus could speak based on certain physical attributes.

[muguly]

The Tivo. I can't imagine living without the ability to watch recordings at 3:30 in the morning.

[LordMaiestas]

Babies that where all comes.

[sriv]

For the sake of originality, the United States Constitution.

[glaz]

Mathematics.

[IgnoranceIsKind]

I would have to vote language, though studies have shown that it isn't an invention so to speak. In fact, speculations are that language are as material as the functions of our organ. Furthermore, there are suspicions that perhaps we humans might even possess a language DNA. Sounds whimsical, but then evidence is very clear is our society. People from various nations speak different languages but thought always remain the same, perhaps even universal. The process by which language is formed and thereafter articulated is also a mystery. For example, I will say "He came into the room when John opened the door". But how do we know that he isn't John? It's something that comes to us for sure almost immediately, but what is lacking is the coherent explanation for this derivation.

Okay I think I have digressed and have written far more than the 'sentence' I'm supposed to adhere by. But the language, or rather the ability to communicate is wonderful. Think literature, written language, science theses and such. Without language, there would be more than chaos. Human survival would be perilous, maybe even impossible.

[cncracer]

Speech is a great evolutionary advancement, but not an invention. I think writing and later the printing press would top my list also.

[cRyPT]

Steel. Made a lot possible: internal combustion engine, automobile, flight etc.

Followed by the internal combustion engine itself perhaps.

[burazekun]

First forms of language were body, then verbal. To convey thoughts we wrote on things to convey ideas we had no words for. Words are an extension of our evolution into language. We would draw what we see, even a child can do this intuitively.

I will say however, the discovery of the wheel and fire are our greatest "discoveries" The inventions which came off of these have created things like the printing press, and homes for us. Tools to use. The original printing press was pretty much two slabs of iron, metal characters, a wheel, a screw "derived from the wheel concept" to for a press. One of the first forms of ink was made with charcole. The first paintings done with it as well.

To be honest, I think the micro processor has made quite a impact on our world though. I beleive it could verywell be the cornerstone of our society today, and a dependancy in the future. I beleive it could become our greatest invention.

[Eyolf]

Control of fire and basic control of water.

[lisakki]

From a INTJ's perspective, definitely the internet.

If all the INTJ's formed a society, the invention of the internet would basically bring about a massive intellectual golden age. The information you can get on it is nearly endless, and and you can stay introverted while doing it.

[metamagnet]

uhhh
sliced bread anyone?

[burazekun]

I like bread! Want me to make some to slice? White, Sourdough, Raisin Cinimon, Italian, French, and Oat.... I dont do whole wheat so screw you guys who like it!

[Cleansed]

Nutella

[enWTFp]

Greed.

It differentiated us from the other animals, until we reigned over all of them - an act that no other animal ever tried, they've never felt the need for such great excess. It will also perhaps be the reason for our downfall, as overly dominating species. In any case it would be the most fundamental novelty, the one that identified humankind.

[Krazy P]

Religion - which began, of course, with the practice of ritual burial many, many years ago.

It is the basis of all civilization. When human beings adopted codes of behavior to restrain their natural instincts for the good of the tribe, we were on our way!

As civilizations grew and advanced, it is religion that distinguished the survivors from those who are in the dustbin of history.

Even today, the clash of civilizations is a clash of religion - what are the codes of behavior that will survive and prosper?

Really, I am surprised at this group - this is not even debatable!

[Autoptic]

You're praising the cause of the Dark Ages and cause and effect of the worst possible fear and hate mongering?! What about the scientific method?





Autoptic added to this post, 6 minutes and 22 seconds later...

So instead, I'm going to say the scientific method. It's brought us almost every other major advance in history.

Beat me to it.

[nickasummers]

Internet hands down. Instintanious global comunications allow the human race greatly increase collective knowledge allow people halfway across the world to work together in reasearching things.

[Ijz]

Religion - which began, of course, with the practice of ritual burial many, many years ago.

It is the basis of all civilization. When human beings adopted codes of behavior to restrain their natural instincts for the good of the tribe, we were on our way!

As civilizations grew and advanced, it is religion that distinguished the survivors from those who are in the dustbin of history.

Heh, I really like that one. Especially the fact that if religion is an invention then it disproves the existence of a god or gods. But then again if we accept it as an invention...then it doesn't work anymore does it? Dilemma?

[Fej]

Heh, I really like that one. Especially the fact that if religion is an invention then it disproves the existence of a god or gods. But then again if we accept it as an invention...then it doesn't work anymore does it? Dilemma?

hahaha, good job Ijz. Its like this quote from the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.

"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."

"But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves that you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't."

"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

"Oh, that was easy," says Man.

[Autoptic]

Religion - which began, of course, with the practice of ritual burial many, many years ago.

It is the basis of all civilization. When human beings adopted codes of behavior to restrain their natural instincts for the good of the tribe, we were on our way!

As civilizations grew and advanced, it is religion that distinguished the survivors from those who are in the dustbin of history.

Figured out what's been bugging me about this. Nietzsche was going on about this, before the line about god being dead, I think. While I'm not so sure the good of the tribe was really involved with half the bullshit religion has done, I agree that the eventual systematic nature of such belief systems and of the societies it forged from fear and pain did eventually lead the way to philosophy and even science under the assumption that it was definitely true and thus would stand questioning and questioning would simple reveal its further truths, thus Nietzsche's aforementioned amusement, and my own, that, being a bit too optimistic, was explaining with flourish that Christianity beget science, and science "killed" Christianity's god in begetting rational agnostic atheism or whatever you want to call the lack of theism on the basis of lack of proof.

[SeaCzar]

Anti-biotics. They have saved more lives, eliminated more misery, and done more for the advancement of the medical profession than anything else

[burazekun]

Sadly, I will say that greed is not something that we invented. It is a natural instinct among predators. Do we have it in abundance? Yeah, but so do monkeys. It was a common for traps to be laid out for monkeys where the hole of the trap was just big enough for their hand, and inside was a fruit. The monkey with all its greed would not let go of the fruit allowing its capture, and in some instances die due to starvation because it would not let go.

[gadjitfreek]

1) The spork. What an inspired device...serves all culinary purposes at once. Utterly brilliant.

2) Jelly beans. While I vastly disagreed with the late Ronald Reagan on his leadership philosophies, I agree with him whole-heartedly on this issue. Particular the Jelly Belly, whose name should light all creation down through the ages.

3) Botox treatment. Using a deadly poison to paralyze facial muscles to smooth out wrinkles so that you appear younger (and deader) than your years sums up the human condition very nicely. Here's a hint...if you want Botox treatment, just inject it directly into the carotid artery.

[stuntgp2000]

In every field there was something (or many things) that had/has great impact in the way we live or in our life. Think about medicine, computer, electricity, agriculture, dam building, endless list.

[Krazy P]

Heh, I really like that one. Especially the fact that if religion is an invention then it disproves the existence of a god or gods. But then again if we accept it as an invention...then it doesn't work anymore does it? Dilemma?

Look at religion as an invention to drive the development of man as a species. Don't think about God - that is not the essence of religion. The essence of religion is adoption of codes of behavior that restrict instinctual behavior - like not killing someone when you get mad at them.

Here is a new behavioral code for you - wearing condoms.

Behavioral codes are also often associated with ritual - repetitive behaviors (like a woodpecker pounding his beak into a tree).

So, think of the Nazis and the Nazi salute. Think of a sports event and the ritual chanting.

Human being are not so complex after all.

Anyway, religion does work. In the U.S. Mormons are the healthiest, fastest growing and most wealthy of the religious groups. They have lots of kids, support each other and have a ritual of a mission which imprints the behaviors on the males of the religion. Very successful.

Islam is another example. I happen to think there are serious issues there - but it terms of numbers, you can't deny their success.

[Autoptic]

That's the success of stupid animals only. It's actually worse considering they're sentient and supposedly intelligent. What was the problem with the Nazis again? Survival has no point in itself. Besides if it spreads again like it did before, we might have another dark age.

[metamagnet]

That's the success of stupid animals only. It's actually worse considering they're sentient and supposedly intelligent. What was the problem with the Nazis again? Survival has no point in itself. Besides if it spreads again like it did before, we might have another dark age.

Personally, I find it funny that throughout the dark ages, people were only drinking beer and wine as water was too unsafe to drink. And then suddenly, WHAM, coffee from the middle east is introduced to europe, and the next thing you know reformation and enlightenment happen :)

Also, a lot of people here are praising writing or text as man's greatest invention. However, Socrates was very much opposed to writing, on the grounds that if people started writing stuff down...they would be motivated to memorize stuff less haha.

[kubrickfan]

Artillery. You can't run from this. :laugh:

[Paradox]

It's a difficult question to answer. I would have to say, in terms of physical devices, that the printing press and internet are the two greatest inventions of humankind. The flow of information they have facilitated is the most amazing occurrence in recent history. People are now intelligent, well informed individuals and these are the two main reasons for such enlightenment amongst people.

[Taranis]

Well my opinion is that since human brain has already a center for language it would come either we wanted it or not.I believe that electricity changed everything..and how we view the world today.Especially a great man wich i have in my display....a great but forgotten man....

[Jane]

Greatest invention?

Lies.

[Ligda]

the written word, arguably the most important and fundamental invention along with the invention/discovery of the wheel.

the invention of writing brought about history, distant communication, more information than a single person could memorize...

[Onotheo]

I said it in another thread.

Base10 Arabic Numerals system.

Where would we still be without this? Stuck in the middle ages?

[p0psicle]

Internet

[primarysuspect]

pr0n.

my vote goes to many things, but mostly computers (and obviously the invention of its sub-parts.)

without computers, we get no internet, no free instant access to information.

go computers. w00t.

[misterSM]

Porn is indeed a good one...

But I think mans greatest invention will be, the form that replaces himself...

A.I.

[primarysuspect]

Isamov's intention was to stop A.I. from ever replacing us, but if that were the case, it would most certainly not be our greatest invention. It would be our greatest failure...wait..didn't someone mention porn...

:)

[MindOverMatter]

The Internet. It's a medium of communication and knowledge that hopefully allow human kind to elevate itself. As long as it stays open for everyone to say what they think.

[misterSM]

Isamov's intention was to stop A.I. from ever replacing us, but if that were the case, it would most certainly not be our greatest invention. It would be our greatest failure...
:)

Well A.I. could say; "those humans really out did themselves" isn't that what people say when you do a good job...

[Webweasel]

Standardization

The industrial revolution would not have occurred with out it.

So nothing that comes after that (Machines, Internet, most of the examples above) would have become successful without it.

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

In essence its cooperation, humanity can fight one another or cooperate. Progress depends on two things, cooperation and the unreasonable man (intj's)

"A reasonable man/woman bends to the world and complies, the unreasonable man/woman forces the world to bend to his will, thus the progress of humanity depends on the unreasonable man"

Yes that is a bit bi-polar but we need cooperation in general and unreasonable men/women to force change and for the general population to cooperate.

Damn now I sound like a nazi. Still true though.

[kedelfor]

I would like to point out that religion is a form of control and in fact has probably held us back more than propelled us further. Religion does not like change and if it was not for people breaking away from religion and thinking differently we would probably still be living a very basic life.

I also think that saying there is one most important invention is saying that there is only one greatest person. It is ridiculous to think that all of human kind can be summed up with a single idea that all other human invention would have not come from.

I think the best thing about humans is their ability to adapt and rise above a challenge. Not exactly an invention, but this is what separates us from the other animals. Other animals either become extinct or evolve. We make our surroundings and understanding evolve to suit us, not the other way around.

Some other animals have also shown abilities to do this, but not to the extent of humans.

[alphawolf]

Up til now, the cell processor. The cell is powerful beyond comprehension.

Before the cell, the transistor. The transistor enabled invention of a whole host of other devices.

Before the transistor, Absinthe. Absinthe fueled widespread weirdness and decadence in an otherwise tight-assed country.

Toilet paper is pretty high up there on the list, as well. Vast improvement over the corn cob...

[Kisai]

Language. No language = no passing down technologies to other people = cavemen
Laanguage is an invention by dint that it is not unique. If language was evolutionary perogrative, we would all be speaking the same language.

The wheel is okay, but you don't really need it if you live next to a river (Egyptians)

Fire is okay, but you don't really need it in the tropics.

Printing press is okay, but you don't really need it if you have enough monks.

Steel is okay, but people got along just fine with bronze beforehand.





Kisai added to this post, 6 minutes and 51 seconds later...

I would like to point out that religion is a form of control and in fact has probably held us back more than propelled us further. Religion does not like change and if it was not for people breaking away from religion and thinking differently we would probably still be living a very basic life.

As much as I would like to agree with this on an ideal level, historically it isn't true. As despised as the Catholic Church is now by freethinking, it was instrumental in keeping European society together through the Dark Ages. It acted as a diplomatic common ground and preserved a semblance of a common language. You might also be for or against the Islamic empire, but it was a great developer and perserver of learned culture.

[kmweber]

Without a doubt: the free market.

It's the single most reliable, most powerful, most efficient, most effective, and most scalable information-processing system ever devised by men.

[Nikita]

Fire. Life would be quite different if we had never invented fire.

[Max T]

Patents.

Good inventions greatly facilitate a need- e.g. a bicycle, combustion engine.

Great inventions facilitate flow of information- e.g. internet, language and the printing press.

Greatest inventions transform our perspective, resulting in further inventions in a new direction. Patenting encourages invention within areas of huge uncertainty- invention that would otherwise not take place due to low reward.

[zibber]

Without a doubt: the free market.

That just happens :)

(Like how you'd keep crashing into things if you didn't regulate the speed of your car, wink wink. I KID! ;))

Language. No language = no passing down technologies to other people = cavemen
Laanguage is an invention by dint that it is not unique. If language was evolutionary perogrative, we would all be speaking the same language.

We all did, before originally completely separate populations were thrust together on such a massive scale.

It's logical that smaller languages will keep dying out now, leading to a decreasingly steep decrease in languages which may lead us to a single language (excepting isolated jungle tribes and such, but those will probably be smoked out by industrials and developers long before then), but that single, dominant language would be roughly as arbitrary in its particulars as some rare, extinct native American tongue.

ps. You can pass on basic nonverbal memes (like (simple) technologies or customs) by simply demonstrating them physically, by the way. Technological progress takes a bit longer then (:laugh:), but it isn't wholly impossible without verbalisation.

[Delarge]

Perhaps agriculture, although harnessing electricity certainly receives a high rank as well.

[ssnake]

Money?

[Thesilenttactic]

Self-importance. It started it all.

[Silent]

The only thing that I can think for the moment is... Cotton buds... 'nuff said. (I currently have one in my hand...)

Internet

I have to agree with this one.

[intellael]

internet - knowledge and global communications

wireless technology - the closest thing to ESP we've gotten so far

stealth technology - close to invisibility

pillow top mattresses - productive sleep is necessary to be healthy

[metamagnet]

So many awesome suggestions
but I'm still pushin for sliced bread

[Mogura]

Humankind's greatest invention? How about the humble condom?

Think about how humankind would be different had condoms never been invented...

[foobar]

We never invented language or religion -- both are hardwired in our brains by evolution.

Written language we did invent, and it's what made everything else possible. Writing stuff down overcomes the limitations of temporary memory (you can only remember 2-3 things at a time, and that's the limiting factor in human "processing power"), and it preserves knowledge from generation to generation.

Numbers and counting are possibly the second greatest invention.

There's plenty more I can think of that haven't been mentioned yet: money, light bulbs, clothes, time, boats, etc

[Asinine]

The lever and fulcrum, or in it's more basic state the bludgeon and blade.

[OrrDavey]

Said it before in another post on this exact topic. I'll say it again.

Trade.

[ScottH]

The scientific method, and other rational-though supporting instruments.

[TheLastMohican]

Said it before in another post on this exact topic. I'll say it again.

Trade.

I don't think trade was ever "invented." It just happens.

[OrrDavey]

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Just Google'd that, it kind of sums up why I believe it isn't something that just happens.

[gedreosan]

I'm going to have to agree with written language for disseminating ideas and knowledge.

[Tishy]

I'm going to have to agree with written language for disseminating ideas and knowledge.

I'm voting written language too...

Unfortunantly the internet is still too reliant upon supporting technologies to allow an education kid in a third world country to access what is on it. Written language doesn't have that issue.

[ClydeB]

Aside from the printing press and the internet? I would have to say

The Sandwich

I cannot imagine what today's society would be like with out this handy item.
And of course a nod to the next thing after that.


Presliced Bread

[foobar]

Unfortunantly the internet is still too reliant upon supporting technologies to allow an education kid in a third world country to access what is on it. Written language doesn't have that issue.

Also, the internet wouldn't be possible without written language.

[Arscenio]

I believe mankind's greatest invention handsdown is the art and science of healing also known as "Medicine". Think about how the world would be right now without medicine. Millions of people today rely on medicine just to continue living. Its sad that there are many places in the world where people cannot the medicine they need that could save their life.





Arscenio added to this post, 4 minutes and 25 seconds later...

Now if I was answering that post another day I would say that Xbox Live... lol

[Reganon]

The aphabet

[jeanyves]

Religion - which began, of course, with the practice of ritual burial many, many years ago.

It is the basis of all civilization. When human beings adopted codes of behavior to restrain their natural instincts for the good of the tribe, we were on our way!

As civilizations grew and advanced, it is religion that distinguished the survivors from those who are in the dustbin of history.

Even today, the clash of civilizations is a clash of religion - what are the codes of behavior that will survive and prosper?

Really, I am surprised at this group - this is not even debatable!

I like that one too !
This is really match the primal meaning of the word invention (ie : a human creation). I am refering to religion and not to God or gods.

Not sure however if its not debatable, they are always hundred of point of view to interprete every sentence with the word religion, and they are debated a lot.

May be it would be better to say monotheism

[Paul]

Ok, coming in late now and I'm not really bothered to read any other opinion (oh, you don't like that? gee sorry)

The definitive answer is the 300 baud modem...It will be, in 10 or less years time, acknowledged as the moment that changed everything...Hell it changed everything for me.

[mplogue]

I also vote for condoms - because otherwise the world would be over-run by religious fundamentalists.......

Oh, wait a minute.......... Crap!

.

[vibrantblade16]

I think the human's greatest invention is Religion. There are so many different religions in the world. Each created by humans. Every person thinks their religion is the right one. Religion has defined who we are, and what we are. Religion has created countless amount of war. In war, religion boosted soldier's morale.

[sachin]

Ego
(The concept of I)

[WaeV]

Capitalism

[childofprodigy]

I'd go for Capitalism too


oh and damn those communists

[WayBehind]

Music. It inspires and can change a person's mood instantly. A weird answer coming from a guy who doesn't play an instrument and doesn't like to sing or dance.

[Nyctalop]

Written word, then money. But nowadays the most needed invention is definitely electricity.

[LaoTzu]

Internet. Without hesitation. Even though it encompasses many other inventions; the ability to share information globally is probably the greatest thing since.... -bread- :P

[lemusnk]

I feel the automobile is man's greatest invention, for without it you would be walking or riding a bicycle and as for the train only the very wealthy could afford the fares, it also improved the work force in th united states as wellas the housing markets, without it you could not get the transport of food and goods from one side of the map to the other, and you would not have a tractor fast enough to produce food. so that is why i think the automobile was man's greatest invention.

[MagicLoro]

I'm a strong defender of Numbers, possibly language too.

[Night Runner]

indoor plumbing

[darynthe]

It can be either the wheel or the use of fire.

ETA: How can anyone say Internet? How can it even be necesary to our lives? It ranks just slightly over chocolate to be frank. You must be thinking of the book.

Anyway, weird choices for most.

BTW, language is not merely human. Dolphins have a language too, and so do other animals such as bees. The latter can dance to give exact cordinates.

[Tocsin]

All the good ones have been taken.

Well... what about toilet paper?

Think about it when you don't have any and need it. Better yet, think about it when someone is kneeding dough to make your pizza!

[miche001]

Printing press: old school internet.

[Axion004]

Newton.

[Leesh]

The invention ( insert proper term, cause right now I'm having a brain freeze and can't remember what it is) of the ability to combine different elements to make new ones, like aluminum, or plastic, or, or... I know in metal it is called metallurgy, in plastics I have no idea... polymer? Anyway, the ability to combine different base elements to form new, combined finished products that are more stable/reliable.

[chaostheory]

Nuclear weapons.

Despite what these weapons may stand for, it is no doubt a showcase of humanity's potential to manipulate it's environment in extraordinary ways.

[MrFlaneur]

sanitation. the toilet. everything starts after that.

refrigeration is a good one too.

[Moya Anomalous]

The problem with this question is that technology grows and there is never an end to the things we could possibly create.

I personally think that technology could be better then it is now. In the 1700's, the idea of the future was cars that could fly with the use of anti-gravity; that humanity would have ray guns and phasers; the stuff of science fiction. They would produce cinemas depicting the future in the year 2000.

Look at humanity now. Not much has changed. Sure you have made some changes, but the majority of these changes are vanity. Looking at possible causes, it would seem money is the main reason technology has been put on hold...

[Zsych]

The scientific method?


Nuclear weapons.

Despite what these weapons may stand for, it is no doubt a showcase of humanities potential to manipulate it's environment in extraordinary ways.

Armageddon Online - Shoemaker-Levy 9 Comet Impact with Jupiter (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) - Comet crashes into Jupiter with the power of 30,000 Hiroshima level nuclear warheads... and barely makes a serious dent in the planet.

[Miryr]

Patents.

Good inventions greatly facilitate a need- e.g. a bicycle, combustion engine.

Great inventions facilitate flow of information- e.g. internet, language and the printing press.

Greatest inventions transform our perspective, resulting in further inventions in a new direction. Patenting encourages invention within areas of huge uncertainty- invention that would otherwise not take place due to low reward.

If anything patents slow down progress, otherwise technology would work like Linux.

[LHOOQ]

The ability to craft/alter our environment. It's the thing that differentiates us as human and able to adapt and be opportunistic. It's also our worst invention.