I recently received a newsletter that had a few quotes I like. I've always been fascinated with the history behind the technological revolution. It seems that people have always been anxious to state that today's new innovation is all we'll ever need. Here are the quotes that illustrate this:

"I think there is a world-wide market for maybe 5 computers."
Thomas Watson, CEO IBM 1943 (USA Today 8/8/2001)

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics 1949

"The telephone has too many shortcomings and is unnecessary for companies with a full complement of messenger boys."
Western Union Internal Memo 1876

"But what is a microchip good for?"
IBM Engineer 1968

"Everything that can be invented has been invented."
Commissioner of US Office of Patents 1899

"640k ought to be enough for anybody."
Bill Gates 1981 [Is he referring to salary?]

I catch myself making comparable statements today. Won't my AMD 3400+ Clawhammer Processor do everything I'm ever going to need on a PC? I can word process, crunch through spreadsheets, do graphics and video, and program all at a pretty good speed. Will I need anything more? This type of question is similar to the panic you hear about natural resources. "We're running out of oil! We're all going to die!"

The fact of the matter is, it's never the end of innovation until God says so. We'll find new ways to make computers faster, and new ways to consume all the new speed. We'll find ways to fuel our jets and cars even if we do run out of oil. Man (for those of you seeking to be offended, by "Man," I mean "men and women") finds a way. Where there's a profit to be made societal need, man will meet that need and then some. I'm not worried one bit about all the fear around global warming, resource exhaustion, and whether or not they'll make another Sponge Bob movie. As is well-evidenced by matters of jury duty, taxes, and debt, Man can wriggle out of anything.