What has shaped modern civilization most significantly?

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:41 pm

After watching the Olympic opening ceremony (which themes centered heavily on the way in which Great Britain as a world power was built and continues to operate) and following tweets as the display unfolded; I read an interesting one from physicist/broadcaster Brian Cox where he mentioned that Science and Engineering shaped the modern world as we know it.

While I am inclined to agree with him to a large extent, and understanding his bias as a scientist to view it this way, I sometimes feel inclined to disagree partially. Which led me onto this question which I feel could be pretty interesting to discuss.

I know that in reality that modern civilization was shaped by an impossible number of fields and individual events but like Brian Cox there has to be a greater pull in one direction in terms of influence.

Could the world as we know it have been made as it is without a certain fields contribution?

Which field commands a greater measure of influence and enduring control on the world today?

Initially it would seem that Science and Technology is the obvious answer, but the more I think about it the more it could be argued in any direction.

What do you all think?

Odd thread I know, but it's been ticking over in my head since I first thought about it and it could turn out to be pretty interesting..

JosephG · Post by **JosephG** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:17 am

Classicists contending
Hellenistic
Western Culture.

Lens Larque · Post by **Lens Larque** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:24 am

QED as theory behind chemistry

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:48 am

There is so much to consider though, The Communist Manifesto for example, is only one book but it could be argued it has shaped much of the 20th century and beyond.

Lens Larque · Post by **Lens Larque** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:21 pm

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 3:23 pm

Yeah the Nuclear age is defining. See there is so much to consider!

aged sea · Post by **aged sea** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:03 pm

Certainly a lot to consider for what shaped the modern age.

My vote: The printing press. Thanks Mr. Gutenberg!

saturdayindex · Post by **saturdayindex** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:22 pm

Human nature, a beautiful and ugly thing.

Jonse · Post by **Jonse** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:36 pm

saturdayindex wrote:Human nature, a beautiful and ugly thing.

This.

And specifically pertaining to human nature: war. Conflict and times of hardship, forcing people to act on instinct in a very conservative and primal manner. While there's been plenty of technological innovation in times of peace, most society structures (as far as I can tell) have their roots in post-conflict government/social constructs and usually maintain a structure based on this throughout their lifetime, whether the country that uses it has been in any recent conflict or not.

So yeah, my answer would be the natural, defensive "fight or flight" behavior inherent to humans has shaped most of modern civilization. What started as measures to ensure safety from another civilization become intertwined with culture.

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:55 pm

I suppose that is the definitive answer really. But you can't deny the power of the arts also in this discussion.

Jonse · Post by **Jonse** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:24 pm

fujee wrote:I suppose that is the definitive answer really. But you can't deny the power of the arts also in this discussion.

Well certainly not, arts have played a serious role. I've always thought that to be more of shaping culture and not civilization. They can be one and the same, though.

cubistking1906 · Post by **cubistking1906** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:21 pm

I'd say the ability to harness and control electricity.

Post by **Aesthetics** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:22 am

Waterbagel · Post by **Waterbagel** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:39 pm

Aesthetics wrote:

Ae!
I hardly think the firewall constitutes some "greatest invention of mankind!"

Post by **Aesthetics** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 8:40 pm

Waterbagel wrote:
Aesthetics wrote:[img]
Ae!
I hardly think the firewall constitutes some "greatest invention of mankind!"

Lol!

Couldn't find a better pic which represent the PC and the internet.

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:57 pm

Certainly in the 20th century, I would say the Russian Revolution is top 3 most important events.

Cryabetes · Post by **Cryabetes** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 5:26 pm

What's going to influence the post-modern era?

saturdayindex · Post by **saturdayindex** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 8:23 pm

Cryabetes wrote:What's going to influence the post-modern era?

Ancient traditionalism vs scientific progressivism.