"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."—Arthur C. Clarke
March 29, 2006
How Do They Do That?
Arthur C. Clarke is one of the most famous science fiction writers and scientific thinkers of our time. He considers the future and imagines how people might react to new discoveries. The quote above, however, applies to our lives right now. Most people do not know how the technology they use works. It might as well be magic.
Why magic? If you check a dictionary, "magic" is defined as "the power of apparently influencing the course of events by mysterious or supernatural forces." In other words, there's no way to explain how something works.
Technology, of course, has explanations. Every item we use went through a process of design, testing, and manufacture. The problem is that the science behind the technology doesn't come in the package from the store. A new toaster or cell phone comes with instructions on how to use it, not information about how it was made or how it works.
Do we need to know such things? Yes, if we want to make good choices and use technology properly. That doesn't mean becoming scientists or inventors, but understanding basic principles. The things you learn about in school—electricity, magnetism, light, chemical elements, solutions—apply to devices in your home.
Challenge: It Must Be Magic
We're inventing new and more amazing devices every day. People use and rely on them, but who knows how they work? To find out if this is a new problem, take a look back.
- What technology did people use for communication over long distances 100 years ago? 200 years ago? Use history books and other resources to make a list from as many cultures as you can.
- Add to your list by asking older members in your family what their parents used to communicate.
- Circle all the technology on your list that you understand well enough to explain how it works to someone else.
 | Tape telegraph, 1858. | |
Now, take a look at right now.
- Make a list of all the technology you could use to communicate with someone else over a long distance. Ask your family and friends for more ideas.
- Circle all the technology on your new list that you understand well enough to explain how it works to someone else.
 | Video camera. | |
Compare your lists. Think about any differences. Could you easily find out how modern technology works?
Going Further:
What in your home might appear to work "by magic" to someone living 100 years ago? How could you explain it?
If you wish, send your answers to us at scifizone@snkids.com (or fill in the form below). If we use your idea, you may be eligible to win a prize! Please include your first name, age, city or town, and state. If you are under 13 years old, get your parent's permission to write to us.
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