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High Technology - ancient style

I've been all over the world and have seen many of the great monuments left behind by ancient civilizations.  The great pyramids, Aztec and Inca cities, cathedrals and churches, ruins from the ancient Greeks and Romans, tales of the seven wonders, and more.  Naturally, I'm impressed.  Who wouldn't be? 

Why do they exist?  One reason is they exist as a testament to the day.  Another is that they were the high tech of their age.  What peasant coming in from the bush to see these structures would not endure shock and awe at seeing them.  They were so very far beyond their conception and ability they were shocked into believing in the power, the potency, and the scope of the priests and kings maintaining them.  They were in such awe as to submit to the superiority of this class without question.

Nowadays, this kind of shock and awe is not available.  Most people are numb to technology.  They endure it, use it, live with it, but are not shocked or awed by it anymore.  It is no longer clear what remands the peasant,  like you and me, to shock and awe - to submit unreservedly to current power.  This implies an almost certain consequence, though what it may be is not clear.  Going forward to the future, we don't have such beacons of power that "keep us in line."
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