If we don’t understand our tools, then there is a danger we will become the tool of our tools. We think of ourselves as Google’s customers, but really we’re its products.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote highlights the potential risk of becoming overly reliant on technology without truly understanding its impact on our lives. It suggests that if we are not mindful of how we use and engage with our tools, we may end up being controlled or influenced by them, rather than utilizing them for our benefit. It underscores the need to be aware of the ways in which technology can shape our behaviors, choices, and perceptions, and to maintain a sense of agency and control in our relationship with technology.
Who said the quote?
The quote “If we don't understand our tools, then there is a danger we will become the tool of our tools. We think of ourselves as Google's customers, but really we're its products.” was said in the book Plato at the Googleplex (Summary) by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein. Rebecca Newberger Goldstein is an American philosopher and novelist known for her work on philosophy of mind and for her novel "36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction."
* The editor of this interpretation made every effort to maintain information accuracy. This includes the source and any key ideas or meanings conveyed in it.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.