Kevin Kelly: How technology evolves

Technology functions as a "seventh kingdom" of life, driven by inherent evolutionary trends toward ubiquity, diversity, specialization, complexity, and socialization. Rather than a modern invention, technology acts as a cosmic force that expands the potential for difference, freedom, and individual self-expression. Because technological ideas are cumulative and rarely disappear—as evidenced by the continued production of 19th-century tools and the persistence of ancient techniques—it serves as the essential medium for the "infinite game" of human existence. By accelerating the evolution of evolvability, technology provides the platform for individuals to discover their unique assignments. Ultimately, embracing technology is a moral imperative, as it creates the necessary conditions for every person to realize their potential and contribute to the ongoing expansion of human possibility.