The Techno.Romantic Philosophy

What is TeCHno-RoManTic?
Is it a PRODUCT?
Is it a SERVICE?
Is it a LIFESTYLE?
Is it a PHILOSOPHY?
Are You a TeCHno-RoManTic?

Or is the question.... not what it is ......but what it will be?

As we move into the 21st century much of what we think and how we act as humans beings is being scrutinized. We live at a pivotal time in human history for never before has the impact of our technologies been so dramatic. The ideas inherit to the TeCHno-RoManTic concept and philosophy represent a conceptual bridge between our past and our future.

The 20th century saw an explosion of human invention beyond that evidenced by any previous one. Much of the most significant technological progress was of a destructive nature, i.e. the atom bomb, radar and other weapons, but applications of technological invention for space exploration to housing, medicine and education now deliver benefits that would not have been available otherwise.

We struggle to get comfortable with our technologies even as they transform our lives. And we continue to embrace technological advancement despite the fact that we fear the changes they have on our sense of well being. The pace of change is so fast that if we imposed these current expectations of assimilation on anyone living at the turn of the last century they would in, all likelihood, experience psychic overload with moments of exposure to the likes of MTV.

So much of the technology we are surrounded by is so basically alien to us that we have enormous problems mastering it's application to our lives. Digital watches, VCRs, and computers seem to confuse and frustrate much of the population. Only the young people of the culture are seamlessly integrating themselves with our "machines".

It is only in the closing years of the century that the questions and concerns of this human interface with our technological creations have given pause to it's designers and forced them to consider the "human factor". Thus we see the rise of "ergonomic design", which was missed by the designers of technology as far back as the Industrial Revolution in England. Now, ergonomic considerations are an essential item on most product designers checklists. These ergonomic considerations are, in essence, Techno-Romantic phenomenon.

The designers of the ocean liner Titanic thought that they had applied current technology so thoroughly that the ship was invincible. It's passengers put their faith in that technology only to be disastrously disappointed by it. The sinking of the Titanic was a Techno-Romantic event at the dark end of the spectrum.

William Lowe, one of the 20th century most visionary industrial designers mined a vein of design that bridged the gap between the mechanical and the comfortable. He made technology palatable with pleasing human shapes. This is a perfect example of Techno-Romantic thinking at it's best.

Buckminster Fuller didn't know it but he was a Techno-Romantic of the first magnitude . His approach to the application of technology came, for the first time in the century, through his appreciation for humans first and the technology second. His thoughts were always concerned "design for the people". His inventions were based on the appropriate technological solution for the primary human needs of shelter, food and transportation. He is the epitome of the Techno-Romantic sensibility.

The most excellent example of Techno-Romantic genius was delivered by Picasso. He started the whole thing. He and Georges Braque first evidenced the Techno-Romantic mind when they added bits of technological ephemera to their paintings. The rise of collage and assemblage techniques in art are inventions peculiar to the 20th century and Picasso in particular utilized them with mastery. Art reflects the culture in which it is created. Picasso , and others who came with him and after him, began the artistic revolution of manifesting the collision of human sensibilities with the technological in their work. Collage and assemblage are Techno-Romantic events. They bridge the gap for humans between their intrinsic spirits and their technologies.

Techno-Romantic describes accurately the new cultural/technological environment of the 21st century where humans will be challenged to integrate themselves with their inventions. They will have to become Techno-Romantics or they may risk slavery to their inventions. The future is bright and frightening but Techno-Romanticism is here to guide the way.

Special Note: Do you know of Techno-Romantic events, people or things you'd like to suggest that I include in the growing Techno-Romantic Encyclopedia? Please Contact Us to send your suggestions.