By Kevin Kelly
Overview
Kevin Kelly’s What Technology Wants (2010) presents a radical new perspective on technology, arguing that it behaves like a living organism—an evolving system with its own “wants” and direction. Instead of seeing technology as merely a collection of human inventions, Kelly describes it as a self-perpetuating force he calls the “Technium.”
Kelly argues that technology is not neutral—it follows its own evolutionary trajectory, much like biological life. He suggests that humanity and technology are deeply intertwined, and rather than resisting technological change, we must understand what technology “wants” and align it with human values.
Key Themes & Insights
The Technium: Technology as an Autonomous Force
- Kelly introduces the concept of the Technium, which refers to the entire system of technology, including tools, machines, AI, and digital networks.
- The Technium is not just controlled by humans—it has its own momentum, much like evolution in nature.
- Example: The transition from radio to television to the internet was not a deliberate human decision but an inevitable evolution driven by the Technium’s internal logic.
“Technology is more than the sum of human inventions—it is a self-sustaining system that grows, adapts, and follows its own trajectory.”
- The Technium influences human behavior, shaping how we think, interact, and make decisions.
- Example: Social media algorithms reshape how people consume news, leading to filter bubbles and polarization.
Technology Evolves Like Life
- Kelly argues that technology follows the same principles as evolution in biology:
- Variation: New technologies emerge through experimentation.
- Selection: The most useful technologies survive and spread.
- Adaptation: Technologies evolve to become more efficient and integrated.
“Technology is an extension of life itself, evolving just as organisms do.”
- Example: The development of computers mirrors biological evolution—starting as simple calculators, evolving into general-purpose machines, and now advancing toward AI with near-human intelligence.
- Technology is inevitable—once a discovery is made, it will eventually be developed and adopted, regardless of human opposition.
- Example: The atomic bomb, AI, and genetic engineering were all inevitable once the foundational knowledge existed.
Technology Has Its Own “Wants”
- Kelly argues that the Technium has its own desires, just like an organism:
- More efficiency: Technology wants to become faster and more powerful.
- More complexity: Technology grows more intricate over time.
- More specialization: Devices and tools become more specific and optimized.
- More ubiquity: Technologies spread until they are everywhere.
“The invention of the internet was inevitable. If one person didn’t invent it, someone else would have. That is how the Technium works—it ‘wants’ to evolve.”
- Example: The transition from typewriters to computers to smartphones was unavoidable, driven by the Technium’s push for greater speed, interconnectivity, and miniaturization.
Humans and Technology Co-Evolve
- Humans are not just creators of technology—we are shaped by it in return.
- As technology advances, human behavior, intelligence, and culture evolve alongside it.
- Example:
- Writing changed how we remember information.
- Printing changed how we share knowledge.
- The internet changed how we communicate.
“We invent technology, but then technology reinvents us.”
- The relationship between humans and technology is symbiotic—we are becoming more technologically dependent, while technology is becoming more human-like (e.g., AI, robots, virtual assistants).
The Myth of Technological Neutrality
- Many people assume technology is neutral and that only how we use it determines whether it is good or bad. Kelly disagrees.
- Technology shapes human behavior, regardless of our intentions.
- Example:
- Cars changed city design and human mobility, regardless of whether people initially wanted them.
- The smartphone changed social interaction, attention spans, and work habits—even for those who resist it.
“Technology has inherent biases—it pushes society in particular directions, often beyond our control.”
Consequences of the Technium’s Growth
The Acceleration of Innovation
- New technologies build on previous discoveries, leading to exponential progress.
- Example: AI is improving at an unprecedented rate because it can analyze vast amounts of data faster than humans ever could.
The Rise of Automation & AI
- The Technium pushes toward automation, replacing human labor with machines.
- Example: Self-driving cars, chatbots, and automated factories were inevitable once AI and robotics reached a certain level.
The Loss of Human Control
- As technology becomes more complex, humans lose the ability to fully understand or control it.
- Example: AI algorithms now make decisions in finance, healthcare, and security without human oversight.
“We are not choosing technology’s direction—it is choosing for us.”
How Can Humanity Align with What Technology “Wants”?
Instead of resisting technological progress, Kelly suggests we should work with the Technium and direct its evolution in a way that benefits humanity.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
- Instead of fighting against new technologies, society should focus on guiding them toward ethical outcomes.
- Example: Instead of banning AI, we should develop ethical frameworks to ensure it aligns with human values.
Encourage Human-Technology Symbiosis
- The best way forward is co-evolution—adapting alongside technology while preserving human creativity, autonomy, and ethical reasoning.
- Example: Instead of replacing human doctors with AI, we should use AI as a tool to enhance human decision-making.
Develop Technological Wisdom
- Humanity must think critically about which technologies to embrace and which to limit.
- Example: Just because we can genetically modify humans, does not mean we should rush to do it without ethical safeguards.
“Technology is neither good nor evil—but if we don’t guide it, it will guide us.”
Final Thoughts: Why What Technology Wants Matters Today
Kevin Kelly’s What Technology Wants challenges the traditional view that technology is simply a neutral tool controlled by humans. Instead, he argues that technology has its own evolutionary logic, and it is driving civilization in a direction that we cannot fully control.
Key Takeaways:
- Technology is an autonomous system (Technium) that evolves like life.
- Technology has its own “wants,” pushing for more efficiency, complexity, and ubiquity.
- Humans and technology are co-evolving—we shape it, but it also shapes us.
- The idea that technology is neutral is a myth—each invention changes society in irreversible ways.
- Instead of resisting technology, we should guide its development to align with human values.
Kelly presents an optimistic view of technology’s future, arguing that if we understand what technology “wants,” we can shape it for the better. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the philosophy of technology, AI, and the future of human civilization.
