Context with Brad Harris The History of the Future
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Jul 28, 2025 Explore the evolution of our beliefs about the future, starting with 19th-century optimism in progress. Discover how literature, from Edward Bellamy's visions to H.G. Wells' cautionary tales, shaped societal outlooks. Delve into the rise of techno-utopianism and the subsequent fear of dystopia brought on by war and technology. The podcast highlights the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, using iconic films like Blade Runner and The Matrix to illustrate humanity’s struggle to align technology with our values.
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19th Century Tech Optimism
- 19th-century Americans believed technology and social cooperation could abolish poverty and class conflict by 2000.
- This optimism saw progress as a natural, luminous path uplifted by reason and science.
Progress Demands Human Effort
- John Burry argued progress isn't a blind, inevitable force but depends on human effort and conditions.
- Recognizing progress's fragility inspires vigilance instead of complacency.
Wells's Vision: Progress's Dual Edge
- H.G. Wells foresaw technological progress could either liberate or destroy humanity.
- He predicted salvation might rely on authoritarian technocratic planning to avert catastrophe.
