The Corrupting Influence of Power in Tolkien's World

In Tolkien's universe, the notion that power corrupts is a profound and recurring theme, manifesting through various artifacts and influences that tempt characters into moral compromise. The rings, the sword, and the Palantir serve as symbols of this corrupting force, luring beings such as elves and humans into believing they can wield power for benevolent purposes without succumbing to its dark consequences. Each attempt to control these powerful objects leads repeatedly to malevolent outcomes, illustrating the inherent danger of underestimating their influence. This pattern serves as a cautionary tale about the seductive nature of power and the illusion of self-control, highlighting a stark warning applicable to both fictional and real-world contexts, such as the historical example of Herman Hollerith. Hollerith, an engineer, designed a machine aimed at streamlining the U.S. census process, but his invention and the burgeoning field of data processing carry lessons about the potential for technological power to evolve into unrestrained and corrupting influences over time.