Scientists like Jared Diamond argue that human history is essentially the story of technology. Our technological advancements are what propelled us from caves to cities, from gaslight to nuclear reactors, and from horseback to orbit. But with each advance comes a potential dark side: deadlier warfare, toxic pollution, or social alienation. Taking into account the good and the bad, which of humanity’s technological inventions do you think has had the most profound influence on the world?
I’ve left off things that occur in nature that we "discovered," such as penicillin, although one could make an argument in favor of antibiotics being on this list. There are surely some others I’ve left off as well. Atomic weapons? Airplanes? Steam engines?
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