Greatest Invention of All-time

[richter915]

When I say greatest...I mean the invention that you think had the greatest impact on mankind as a whole. Like, something that helped shape society in the past and is still having an effect today.

Right now, I think the Gun has to be the greatest invention of all time.

[Spicoli hey bud]

Vagina...

that God guy is good

[Mercy Medical]

Hmmm...part of me wants to say the computer although it's still fairly new, but think of how many leaps and bounds we've been able to make as a society due to it.

[DroppedUrPocket]

pr0n

[richter915]

Hmmm...part of me wants to say the computer although it's still fairly new, but think of how many leaps and bounds we've been able to make as a society due to it.
I think the computer is definitely up there considering how lazy it has made our generation, heh. I feel that the advent of the Internet was even bigger though.

[CorporateFish]

Hmmm...part of me wants to say the computer although it's still fairly new, but think of how many leaps and bounds we've been able to make as a society due to it.
Very true. I second that..

[Mercy Medical]

I think the computer is definitely up there considering how lazy it has made our generation, heh. I feel that the advent of the Internet was even bigger though.
That is true, but without the computer we wouldn't have the internet.

The internet is crazy though, I sit and think about how the hell I used to do research for school projects before the internet. I had to go to the library.

The level of laziness people are developing due to the computer is retarded though.

[richter915]

That is true, but without the computer we wouldn't have the internet.

The internet is crazy though, I sit and think about how the hell I used to do research for school projects before the internet. I had to go to the library.

The level of laziness people are developing due to the computer is retarded though.
ya I know what you mean...but then I can say "well the PC wouldn't be around if not for the silicon chip etc etc"...it can go on for a while...I mean if you consider what most of the world uses the PC for outside of work...it's the internet. Computers in general have had vast effects in the professional industry because it really impacts all types of works. No matter what business you look at, they will be using computers for their work at some point or another.

[Mercy Medical]

ya I know what you mean...but then I can say "well the PC wouldn't be around if not for the silicon chip etc etc"...it can go on for a while...I mean if you consider what most of the world uses the PC for outside of work...it's the internet. Computers in general have had vast effects in the professional industry because it really impacts all types of works. No matter what business you look at, they will be using computers for their work at some point or another.
Very true

[preppyak]

Hmm, I'm liking the wheel, as old school as it is. Giving the innovation later into cars, wagons, etc. Overall making things easier to move, that had a huge effect.

The internet is hard to debate though, seeing as how far we have come since it took effect.


Right now, I think the Gun has to be the greatest invention of all time.
I'd take the Atom Bomb over the gun. The ability to threaten hundreds of thousands of people with the press of one button, that is one damn effective tactic. It has changed war since WWII

[richter915]

Hmm, I'm liking the wheel, as old school as it is. Giving the innovation later into cars, wagons, etc. Overall making things easier to move, that had a huge effect.

The internet is hard to debate though, seeing as how far we have come since it took effect.


I'd take the Atom Bomb over the gun. The ability to threaten hundreds of thousands of people with the press of one button, that is one damn effective tactic. It has changed war since WWII
the thing is with the gun...it has literally shaped the world as we see it today...if you look at almost any civilization, it has been affected by the presence of guns. The A-bomb was a useful tool (as horrible as it is) but I don't think it has shaped culture in the long term. It's definitely up there though.

[preppyak]

the thing is with the gun...it has literally shaped the world as we see it today...if you look at almost any civilization, it has been affected by the presence of guns. The A-bomb was a useful tool (as horrible as it is) but I don't think it has shaped culture in the long term. It's definitely up there though.

Yeah, I see that too. Huge in forming America.

[CROMagnon]

i'm going to take the academic route and say
1. writing (like the actual creation of symbols and investing them with meaning)
and its close relation
2. the book

[halifaxsb86]

lightbulb

[richter915]

Yeah, I see that too. Huge in forming America.
America, Africa, East Asia...anywhere you go, the use of the gun has shaped the future of civilization in that area.

[CROMagnon]

America, Africa, East Asia...anywhere you go, the use of the gun has shaped the future of civilization in that area.
unfortunately, it can also be linked to the end of "civilization" in that area

[clevernapkins]

i'm going to take the academic route and say
1. writing (like the actual creation of symbols and investing them with meaning)
and its close relation
2. the book

dammit, you beat me to it. definitely the book, or as i was going to say, the printing press. that invention basically started the modern age in europe. thanks gutenburg

[andrewlterry]

Cold cereal.

[richter915]

dammit, you beat me to it. definitely the book, or as i was going to say, the printing press. that invention basically started the modern age in europe. thanks gutenburg
ya the printing press totally skipped my mind...that's a big one. Helped people stop being stupid.

[richter915]

unfortunately, it can also be linked to the end of "civilization" in that area
couldn't have said it better myself.

[siimpx]

toilets, microwaves, tv, birth control, computers.

[CROMagnon]

the engine's a pretty big one too

[noodledancer]

the printing press, because literacy is good.

[ghostyouare]

The wheel

[Paul Tao]

the wheel, without a doubt. the wheel is (almost indisputably) indirectly one of the essential ingredients of every invention mankind has ever come up after it was created.

if we're going for modern invention, i'd say plastic. plastic is unbelievable and is everywhere, way more than you would ever think.

[richter915]

the engine's a pretty big one too
ya I was thinkin about this and the engine was one of those things that made the world a much smaller place. good call on that one.

[ActorInThisPlay]

the printing press in my opinion.

[richter915]

as for the wheel...ya I guess I see a lot of the impact...but that's almost like the "invention" of fire...or the ability to harness it at least...it's one of those things that led to other things...I don't really see it as having an overarching effect on civilization though.

[Ratherbedead22]

i was gonna say the printing press as well. there was a huge countdown on the hitler channel or TLC or something that was the top 100 most influential inventions and the printing press was at the top.

[calebus]

I know it isn't really an invention but Fire anyone? but seriously i would go with... the first written language, the first credible banking and credit system- thanks to the dutch, boats/ planes/ cars - transportation = good, antiseptics - infections and dirty surgical tools = bad the assembly line ...and last but not least MTV

[mcfly21]

easily the invention of language has been most important
followed by writing

[osunfg]

i'll say agriculture

[MLLMillenium]

The Printing Press, The Airplane, Atomic Energy, The Computer

[blankster07]

the bible? i'm not sure if you consider that an invention, though...

[richter915]

the bible? i'm not sure if you consider that an invention, though...
hmm...maybe organized faith would be a better way to phrase it...

but inventions usually help people...organized faith overall has been used for greed and war, no matter how people want to sugar coat it.

[blankster07]

hmm...maybe organized faith would be a better way to phrase it...

but inventions usually help people...organized faith overall has been used for greed and war, no matter how people want to sugar coat it.

i agree completely... faith is just an easy way to control people...

[richter915]

i agree completely... faith is just an easy way to control people...
but you are right in the context of this discussion because the use of organized faith has a tool has had one of the greatest impacts on the history of mankind.

[a speedo model]

sliced bread

[preppyak]

but you are right in the context of this discussion because the use of organized faith has a tool has had one of the greatest impacts on the history of mankind.
yeah, pretty much dominated Europe for the entire second millenium. I mean, the crusades, the inquisition, pretty much an British Monarchy was greatly impacted it.

sliced bread
haha

[richter915]

well Europe has it's obvious influences although it has decreased over time. If you look on a global scale it's even greater.

think of it...would native americans have been so accepting of Europeans if they never believed in an idea of "A white god coming from the sea"?

the crusades and inquisition like you mentioned.

but what about today? the whole Israel/Palestine conflict...yes we see the politics but if you ask the people, they'll say that it's for the right of the Holy Land.

Modern day Muslim Jihadists/Jewish Zionists...many terrorists have religious intentions

gay marriage and abortion here in the states. The reason it's an issue at all is because of the Christian Right.

[mcfly21]

I still think the written language is greater. The bible wouldn't exist without it and then the only way to spread religion would be by word of mouth

[richter915]

I still think the written language is greater. The bible wouldn't exist without it and then the only way to spread religion would be by word of mouth
understandable...my thing is that like...yes writing was vital to communication and things but the application of writing is what impacted mankind most, get what I mean? How did people use the writing to help further society. That's why religious text can be seen as a greater invention. That's why I said the gun and not fire...you need one to have the other but one has a broader and in a way, more specific impact.

[ghostyouare]

gay marriage and abortion here in the states. The reason it's an issue at all is because of the Christian Right.
fuck you, you know that's a lie. Maybe in the case of gay marriage but even then that's not entirely true but with abortion it's not just christian-activist that detest it.

[ghostyouare]

i agree completely... faith is just an easy way to control people...
I really hate you.

[ghostyouare]

Communication (language) isn't an invention, it's natural. Sure it took millions of years to develope but it doesn't make it an invention. The greatest man-made invention to date is probably pennicyllin.

[apoemtothedead]

but what about today? the whole Israel/Palestine conflict...yes we see the politics but if you ask the people, they'll say that it's for the right of the Holy Land.

Your Holy Land is in Saudi Arabia, go there. As far as my understanding goes, the Koran doesn't mention the name Jerusalem once, how can it possibly be your holy land?

[CROMagnon]

Communication (language) isn't an invention, it's natural. Sure it took millions of years to develope but it doesn't make it an invention. The greatest man-made invention to date is probably pennicyllin.
language isn't an invention, but the means to record that communication is

[justinevans]

the mechanical clock, the toilet and modern plumbing, and antibiotics.

[richter915]

Your Holy Land is in Saudi Arabia, go there. As far as my understanding goes, the Koran doesn't mention the name Jerusalem once, how can it possibly be your holy land?
uhm...

the Dome of the Rock is in Jerusalem? Yes we have various holy sites in Saudi Arabia but Jerusalem is a very important area for Muslims as well.

" The rock in the center of the dome is believed by Muslims to be the spot from which Muhammad was brought by night and from which he ascended through the heavens to God. Accompanied by the angel Gabriel, he was consulted by Moses and given the obligatory Islamic prayers before returning to earth. It is a holy place to Muslims. "

[richter915]

fuck you, you know that's a lie. Maybe in the case of gay marriage but even then that's not entirely true but with abortion it's not just christian-activist that detest it.
the Christian Right can be used to simplify a large majority of the people opposed to these concepts...some girl did a research project in my class and found that it's anyone who's very religious that will have conservative views like this. Seeing as this is a Christian nation, you can say it's the Christian Right who keep this a burning issue. This isn't one in Canada or various other European nations and the influence of faith in those countries isn't that big anymore.

you're right, there're other people involved in this butthe right wing has really fooled a lot of Christians in this country into supporting them and using the Bible as their tool.

[apoemtothedead]

uhm...

the Dome of the Rock is in Jerusalem? Yes we have various holy sites in Saudi Arabia but Jerusalem is a very important area for Muslims as well.

" The rock in the center of the dome is believed by Muslims to be the spot from which Muhammad was brought by night and from which he ascended through the heavens to God. Accompanied by the angel Gabriel, he was consulted by Moses and given the obligatory Islamic prayers before returning to earth. It is a holy place to Muslims. "

So, is the word Jerusalem ever mentioned in the Koran?

[Web250]

The transistor.

[blankster07]

I really hate you.

... do you know any facts?... have you ever studied the history of China?... anyone with half of a brain would be able to understand that faith is the most powerful control mechanism... in China they believed in the "mandate of heaven" the emperor was send as God's representative on earth... who would disobey the emperor if he was chosen by God???... if you did it would be like going against God... ohhhh how manipulative the human race is!

[Kyle Garchar]

if by best you mean most beneficial, then the invention of pasteurization is definately it

[richter915]

So, is the word Jerusalem ever mentioned in the Koran?
I dunno, I've never read it. Does it matter? The people believe that it is holy and they have believed that for hundreds of years...fact is the Jews shouldn't be there cause the world feels bad for em. I think it's retarded either way though.

[richter915]

... do you know any facts?... have you ever studied the history of China?... anyone with half of a brain would be able to understand that faith is the most powerful control mechanism... in China they believed in the "mandate of heaven" the emperor was send as God's representative on earth... who would disobey the emperor if he was chosen by God???... if you did it would be like going against God... ohhhh how manipulative the human race is!
it was also done in feudal Europe as well as Egypt.

[fullbleedxaudio]

I'm going really really into the past with mine: plows.

Plows pulled by domesticed animals lead to a rise in food production in about 5 or 6 areas of the world around 6,000 B.C. Without plows, most areas of the world would have continued a hunter-gatherer life style for hundreds upon thousands of years to come.

[apoemtothedead]

I dunno, I've never read it. Does it matter? The people believe that it is holy and they have believed that for hundreds of years...fact is the Jews shouldn't be there cause the world feels bad for em. I think it's retarded either way though.

The Jews should be. Here's my understanding of the situation, correct me if I'm wrong. The British gave control of their land to the UN to use as they choose. They decided to split it into Israel and Palestine. The Palestinians didn't like it, attacked the Israelis and lost. Proceeded to do it two more times and lost both of those times as well. So why shouldn't the Jews be there? It wasn't the Palestinians land to begin with, and they lost 3 wars.

[richter915]

The Jews should be. Here's my understanding of the situation, correct me if I'm wrong. The British gave control of their land to the UN to use as they choose. They decided to split it into Israel and Palestine. The Palestinians didn't like it, attacked the Israelis and lost. Proceeded to do it two more times and lost both of those times as well. So why shouldn't the Jews be there? It wasn't the Palestinians land to begin with, and they lost 3 wars.
that's about as much as I know. I just don't like how a Western nation has the authority to divide up the middle east how they see fit (obviously having a democratic Jewish nation there is better than an Islamic Monarchy for Western countries)...and ya they did lose wars but only with the aid of the US...yes they were official losses according to the new UN...so yes that gives Israel the right to the land...I just don't think it's right that Western countries played around as much as they did with the Middle East and now people are dying on both sides. I can fight that till I turn blue but it's no use because, like you're saying, Israel took the land from the war...I just feel that none of it shouldn't have happened in the first place.

whatever this isn't getting anywhere so I say we stop this...that topic is for the politics forum and not Education and it's been discussed there several times.

[richter915]

I'm going really really into the past with mine: plows.

Plows pulled by domesticed animals lead to a rise in food production in about 5 or 6 areas of the world around 6,000 B.C. Without plows, most areas of the world would have continued a hunter-gatherer life style for hundreds upon thousands of years to come.
ya someone earlier mentioned agriculture. I think that the combination of all those tools helped create ancient societies. The combination of farming tools (like plows) with irrigation systems was the key in my opinion, without being able to easily move water...the tools didn't matter.

[osunfg]

this may not be an invention yet, but controlled nuclear fussion. once thats mastered, we (humans) win. it just angers me that things such as this could be attainable 10X's faster if we didnt waste money on things like wars. =\
-thinking on this, i also think its a twisted irony that some of our greatest inventions came about by wars. just goes to show you the motivational powers of competition, no matter how sick they may get.

[richter915]

this may not be an invention yet, but controlled nuclear fussion. once thats mastered, we (humans) win. it just angers me that things such as this could be attainable 10X's faster if we didnt waste money on things like wars. =\
-thinking on this, i also think its a twisted irony that some of our greatest inventions came about by wars. just goes to show you the motivational powers of competition, no matter how sick they may get.
I could not agree with you more. The thing is...we know about nuclear fusion and have used it as a weapon...that's the basis of the H bomb, right? I think the setback with nuclear fission is that we've already seen so many problems with nuclear fission plants that a nuclear fusion plant would really be risky for mankind.

I mean hell, we threaten to invade a country because it opened a nuclear power plant...imagine what would happen if nuclear fusion plants became popularized?

[osunfg]

I could not agree with you more. The thing is...we know about nuclear fusion and have used it as a weapon...that's the basis of the H bomb, right? I think the setback with nuclear fission is that we've already seen so many problems with nuclear fission plants that a nuclear fusion plant would really be risky for mankind.

I mean hell, we threaten to invade a country because it opened a nuclear power plant...imagine what would happen if nuclear fusion plants became popularized?
exactly, plus in fission you are dealing with extremely heavy and extremely radioactive isotopes. with fussion its just hydrogen on hydrogen without the instability. its all a matter of transforming it into a controllable energy source. and again with what you said, along with the incredible benefit of it comes the incredible paranoia of having such an incredible force.