Best Technology Ever Invented?
Think about this for a moment: what’s the best technology ever invented?
Is it something digital? A cutting-edge device? A revolutionary machine?
For me, it’s a thing that:
- Doesn’t require electricity.
- Doesn’t need the internet.
- Does rely on trees.
- And changed how humans think forever.
What is it?
Books, of course!
You might not immediately think of the book as a technological invention, but it’s one of humanity’s most transformative innovations.
A book is remarkable because it’s:
- Portable: Compact and easy to carry, books are far more convenient than scrolls or tablets carved in stone.
- Durable: With improvements in materials—from papyrus to parchment to paper—books have become long-lasting and practical.
- Efficient: The codex format (bound pages) revolutionized reading by allowing easy navigation to specific sections of text.
- Accessible: Thanks to the printing press, books became mass-producible, spreading knowledge far beyond the elite classes.
My Love of Books
My passion for the greatest technology ever invented started early. Growing up before the internet, I eagerly anticipated trips to the library. It was a fun weekend activity, and to this day, libraries still fill me with joy. Whenever I walk into one—whether small and cozy or grand and historic—I feel a little rush of happiness.
Here are two libraries that left a lasting impression on me:
- Hillsborough’s One-Room Library (New Brunswick, Canada): A charming space that holds a special place in my heart.
- Dublin Trinity College Library: One of the most magnificent libraries I've visited—it’s like stepping into a real-life Hogwarts.
Fun fact: Since 1801, the Library of Trinity College Dublin has been entitled to a copy of every book published in Ireland and the UK. This designation as a legal deposit library ensures the preservation of published books for future generations.
Libraries are magical. Where else can you walk in, get a free card, and leave with treasures? They’re a testament to the value of books—a technology so essential that society agrees: everyone deserves access to them.
Decline of Reading
Despite books being an incredible invention supported by an amazing system (libraries), fewer people are reading books today.
A recent episode from the Plain English podcast about the decline of reading highlights the reality of reading:
- 50% decline in leisure reading: This century has seen a significant drop in reading for fun.
- Fewer young readers: Fifty years ago, 40% of high school seniors read at least six books for fun annually. Today, that figure has dropped to 12%.
- Literacy scores dropping: Younger generations, such as fourth and eighth graders, are scoring lower in literacy. Even college students report struggling to read full books.
- Adults, too: The American Time Use Survey indicates that book reading has declined across all age groups over the past two decades.
One culprit? Screens and social media. They consume time and cater to our desire for instant gratification, making it harder to focus on longer, more thought-provoking content.
What We Lose When We Don’t Read
Why does it matter if fewer people are reading books?
Maybe in this age of AI we don't need books.
When we stop reading, we risk losing crucial skills, such as:
- Resilience and focus: Phones and instant entertainment have changed our expectations of what deserves our attention. Persisting through challenging or less immediately engaging material is a skill that’s becoming weaker.
- Abstract and analytical thinking: Reading and writing aren’t just skills—they shape how we think. Unlike oral traditions, which rely on repetition and mnemonics, literacy allows us to fix knowledge in place and think more deeply.
“In oral cultures, knowledge is preserved through repetition, mnemonics, and stories. Writing and reading, by contrast, fix words in place, enabling abstract and analytical thinking”
Without these skills, society may become more susceptible to misinformation, less capable of critical thought, and more reliant on others to tell us what to believe or do.
In workplaces, I’ve noticed these trends firsthand:
- Fewer people rely on written instructions or manuals to guide them. There’s an increasing expectation for video tutorials, presentations, or demos.
- People often forget spoken instructions quickly. Without the habit of reading—or revisiting material to reinforce knowledge—it’s harder to retain information.
- Even when using AI, many don’t engage deeply enough to question, analyze, or refine its outputs.
I can't help but worry: As books take a backseat in our lives, are we losing the very skills that help us think deeply and independently?
A Closing Thought
I sometimes feel sad about the potential loss of this vital technology. But then I visit a library and see people of all ages browsing shelves and checking out books. That gives me hope.
Next time you pick up your phone, ask yourself: Is there a book I might want to read instead? You might just find the greatest invention humanity has ever known waiting for you.
AI Tools used: This post was edited with the help of Microsoft Copilot and research help from Google NotebookLM.