Connections1978

James Burke:
This is one of the more perfect examples of the kind of technological trap that we set for ourselves: The lift. The elevator. I mean, what is it? It's a steel box with some buttons in it and, maybe, a trap door for emergencies, but whoever looks that close? Except, when this happens...

[the power dies]

James Burke:
...Where is it? And even in this situation - closed in, with an escape route that we can't handle - we behave like many of those New Yorkers did. We...

[ignites a small lighter]

James Burke:
...Strike a light, and we look around to see how badly things are. And if we find, in this case, an emergency button... Absolutely great, we sit back and we wait for help to come; we wait for *technology* to come back and save our lives. Because it's inconceivable that it won't, isn't it? I mean, if you admit that, you've got to admit that every single day of your life, in some form or other, you unconsciously walk yourself into a technology trap. Because that's the only way to live in the modern world. So you don't admit it. You say, "Oh, well, in this situation, we'll cope." But what happens when the effects become widespread, irreversible, devastating? What happens when what little resources you have to help you cope...

[the lighter goes out]

James Burke:
...Give up? Then what?