“Creators, powerless, fleeing from the things they have wrought.”
This thought-provoking quote by David Eagleman encapsulates the profound relationship between creators and their creations. It suggests a sense of despair and detachment that can arise once something has been made, particularly in the realms of art, technology, and human endeavor.
At its core, the quote articulates a paradox of creation: while creators hold the power to bring ideas into existence, they may become powerless in the face of the consequences or implications of their work. This reflects a broader theme in society where innovations and creations—be they technological advancements, artistic expressions, or even societal structures—can evolve beyond the control of their creators, leading to unforeseen outcomes that can be both liberating and frightening.
The phrase “fleeing from the things they have wrought” indicates a desire to escape the burdens or responsibilities that come with creation. This can be interpreted as a critique of modernity, where creators—scientists, artists, and thinkers—may feel overwhelmed by the very systems they have helped to establish. It raises questions about ethical responsibility and accountability, inviting discussions about how far the influence of a creator extends after their initial act of creation.
In summary, Eagleman's quote serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate dynamics between creation and consequence, highlighting the often-ignored anxieties that accompany the act of bringing something new into the world. It challenges us to reflect on our own roles as creators—whether in technology, art, or ideas—and to consider the weight of the legacies we leave behind.
“All creation necessarily ends in this: Creators, powerless, fleeing from the things they have wrought.”
“Although we credit God with designing man, it turns out He's not sufficiently skilled to have done so. In point of fact, He unintentionally knocked over the first domino by creating a palette of atoms with different shapes. Electron clouds bonded, molecules bloomed, proteins embraced, and eventually cells formed and learned how to hang on to one another like lovebirds. He discovered that by simmering the Earth at the proper distance from the Sun, it instinctively sprouted with life. He's not so much a creator as a molecule tinkerer who enjoyed a stroke of luck: He simply set the ball rolling by creating a smorgasbord of matter, and creation ensued.”
“A mere 400 years after our fall from the center of the universe, we have experienced the fall from the center of ourselves.”
“Humans have discovered that they cannot stop Death, but at least they can spit in his drink.”
“Constant reminding ourselves that we not see with our eyes but with our synergetic eye-brain system working as a whole will produce constant astonishment as we notice, more and more often, how much of our perceptions emerge from our preconceptions.”
“That afternoon She listened to the grievances of the dead from two warring nations. Both sides had suffered, both sides had legitimate grievances, both pled their cases earnestly. She covered Her ears and moaned in misery. She knew Her humans were multidimensional and She could no longer live under the rigid architecture of Her youthful choices.”