Take a mental journey with us, as we ponder a thought experiment we’ve tinkered with for quite a while.
Imagine some of today’s best and most loved technology, thrust magically back into the Dark Ages. Imagine a single device discovered by someone of that time.
We wonder the possible ramifications that it could have, and if people from 1000 years ago would be able to make sense of something from the 2020s.
In this hypothetical scenario, we imagine a single, working Apple iPhone is discovered in the Dark Ages. Perhaps it landed there through time travel. The how is less important than what early civilizations might make of such a device.
Would the fabric of history as we know it would unravel? Would that discovery change the course of history forever? Or would such a mysterious device be cast aside, forgotten, or not understood at all?
Creating Cultural Shockwaves
The Divine Artifact
Upon the iPhone’s discovery, it would likely be perceived as a divine or magical artifact. Its sleek design and glowing interface would stand in stark contrast to the rough-hewn materials of the age.
But would it? Would it just be seen as a piece of unique glass, and cast aside? Would the right level of curiosity unearth its magic?
For the sake of conversation, let’s say the phone was played with, and the screen not hindered by a passcode.
Such an object might be attributed to celestial beings or seen as a relic from a hitherto unknown civilization. This perception could strengthen the church’s influence, as clergy might claim it as evidence of divine providence, or alternatively, it could challenge dogmatic religious beliefs, sparking debates about humanity’s place in the universe.
A Catalyst for Curiosity
The iPhone’s mere existence would ignite curiosity and wonder. If explored fully, it would bring about revelations. What is a photograph? How is the type of the screen changing? What powers this contraption?
While its technological marvels would be inaccessible once its battery depleted, the device’s ergonomics, materials, and design could inspire a leap in imagination and ingenuity among artisans and craftsmen.
This curiosity could pave the way for an early onset of a renaissance spirit, fostering an environment where questioning the status quo becomes more widely accepted and encouraged.
Technological Paradoxes
Reverse Engineering the Future
With the technology of the Dark Ages unable to power or replicate the iPhone, it might become the subject of intense study by scholars and alchemists.
Even without understanding its internal workings, the device could inspire theoretical advancements in mechanics, optics (inspired by the camera), and even early concepts of electricity, as attempts are made to reactivate the device.
We love the idea of people going to great lengths to try to devise ways to reboot the device. Sadly, many of these efforts could permanently break or disable the phone, making it a dangerous endeavor.
The miniaturization observed in the iPhone would contrast sharply with the bulky machinery of the era, potentially leading to a revolution in thinking about machinery and devices.
The Precursor to a Premature Industrial Revolution
The materials and manufacturing precision of the iPhone would be unfathomable to Dark Age metallurgists and craftsmen. Attempts to dissect and replicate its components could lead to early developments in metallurgy, chemistry, and engineering.
While a true understanding would remain out of reach, the pursuit of this knowledge could seed the beginnings of an industrial revolution centuries before its time.
Scientific Enlightenment
The Star Map and Time Reckoning
Assuming the iPhone could be powered, applications like maps and the calendar would offer revolutionary understandings of geography, astronomy, and time. The concept of a global map accessible in one’s palm would radically alter perceptions of the world, potentially encouraging exploration and navigation.
Similarly, the accurate timekeeping and calendar system could refine agricultural practices, religious observances, and social organization.
The Seeds of Modern Medicine
Additionally, the iPhone’s health and medical information apps, detailing first aid, disease symptoms, and basic hygiene, could vastly improve Dark Ages medicine. Even basic knowledge about germs and sterilization, gleaned from the device, could advance healthcare and save lives, altering the course of plagues and diseases that were rampant in that era.
Would there be content to teach people about such basic hygiene?
Artistic Renaissance
A New Visual Language
The imagery and icons within the iPhone would introduce a new visual language to the Dark Ages. Artists and illustrators might draw inspiration from these icons, leading to an evolution in artistic styles and motifs. This influence could manifest in manuscripts, paintings, and sculptures, blending traditional medieval themes with futuristic visions.
What apps would the phone have on it? Surely there would be no connectivity, but the device could showcase photographs or artwork that are revelatory.
The Birth of Speculative Fiction
Stories and legends about the iPhone, passed down through generations, could give rise to a genre of speculative fiction long before its time. Tales of distant times or worlds, inspired by the apps and functionalities of the iPhone, could weave through the cultural fabric, enriching folklore and literature with new themes of wonder and exploration.
While the introduction of an iPhone into the Dark Ages is a fantastical notion, its hypothetical impacts illustrate the profound influence technology has on human progress. Such a paradox not only underscores the interconnectedness of culture, technology, science, and art but also serves as a thought experiment on how singular advancements can propel societies into new eras of understanding and achievement.
In this imagined scenario, the iPhone becomes a beacon from the future, illuminating paths not taken, and reminding us of the relentless, often unpredictable march of progress.
1 comment
Theres always the pissibikiry too that tje one person who uncovered/found the phone bexame so enamored of it that they stared at it for hours amd shared it with no one. Horsing its mythological “powers” for themswlves.