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About this quote

What does it mean?
Orwell suggests that human morality and capability are limited by technological progress.
In plain terms
Technology sets the limits on how good humans can be.
What can you take from it?
Moral potential is tied to technological development.

Where it applies

  • tech ethics
  • societal development
  • future planning

Putting it to work

  • align tech with values
  • assess tech impact

Questions to consider

  • Does tech make us better or worse?
  • What limits our morality?

Another view

It overlooks moral agency that exists independent of technology.

More from George Orwell

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  3. One sometimes gets the impression that the mere words 'Socialism' and 'Communism' draw towards them with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sand…

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