Let's first talk about Lewis Mumford. He was an american historian, sociologist, and philosopher of technology and literary critic. Born in 1895 and died 1990. One particular piece I wish to shed light upon is The Myth of the Machine written by Lewis Mumford which talks about the forces that shape what modern technology from prehistoric times of humanity. Mumford goes into an in depth analysis from the get go and criticizes the trend of modern technology. He emphasizes how the expansion of technology was unrestricted, and how it expanded, and was produced. In particular he mentions how technology is not just limited to the essence of physical matter, but that in which is metaphysical. By metaphysical I mean technology advancement that are not physical tools created but scientific achievements, cultural development, spread of information, behaviors, and thought processes. Essentially the development of human understanding by first having a personality or ego. he termed it in his writings as the "Rise of Civilization" (Mumford, 1968, Page 4, referenced from page 11 within his text). He also mentions within his writing that if we are to progress we must remember a key aspect " If we do not take the time to understand one's past, we shall not have enough insight or wisdom to see through for the present, and we will therefore lack control of what we call our prospective future" (Mumford, 1968).
Moreover, within the Unabomber case it talks about how when he first struck, the terrorist knew little of how to make a bomb but, with each incident he was learning, and becoming more proficient. The Unibomber was against the development of technology and yet a prime example of its development. He said in his interview that his "personal preference is to be seen as a revolutionist..." (Ted (Unabomber), 1999). He wanted to do away with industrialism. Which in essence is the social, and economic system of the world, and derived from the developments of technology. When he enacted his crimes his goal was to create a new movement or technological advancement by making bombs and blowing up specific areas that are very populated. He did this strategically to create a message and to create a environment where people would join his cause. He did suceed to an extent and spread his beliefs and values to others insighting a revolution of sorts.
My question to everyone is do you believe that he in a way did advance technology through the spread of information? Even though he committed many crimes, and killed people did his actions cause people to rethink how the industrial system worked? Did he only contibute to technological advancement in the metaphysical sense?
*Disclaimer I do not support any violence, or crimes this man committed. I simply wish to analyze how the public viewed and reacted to his drastic actions.
Hine, H. J., & Mumford, L. (1968). The Myth of the machine: Technics and human Development. Man, 3(3), 519. https://doi.org/10.2307/2798943
Luke, T. (1996). Re-Reading the Unabomber Manifesto. Telos, 1996(107), 81–94. https://doi.org/10.3817/0396107081
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