The Transformative Power of Programmable Cryptography - A New Industrial Revolution
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Summary:
Jason Morton discusses the transformative potential of programmable cryptography, likening its impact to that of the Industrial Revolution. He highlights historical instances where technological advancements initially caused fear of job loss but ultimately led to new industries and employment opportunities. Morton argues that technology eliminates tasks rather than jobs, freeing humans for more complex and creative work. He emphasizes the importance of trust in AI and automation, proposing programmable cryptography as a means to ensure system reliability and integrity.
We're witnessing a fundamental shift in technology. Just as computers revolutionized paper processes... Programmable cryptography is transforming computerized systems. Here's why this could be just as important as the Industrial Revolution:
Dec 6, 2024 · 4:10 PM UTC
People are afraid AI will steal their jobs. In 1811, textile workers destroyed machines they thought would replace them. Today, those "job-killing" machines created millions more jobs than they destroyed.
First came agriculture (10,000 BC). Hunter-gatherers panicked: "If one farmer can feed 100 people, what will the other 99 do?" They feared mass unemployment. Instead? Agriculture freed humans to become artisans, traders, and builders. A single innovation birthed civilization.
The printing press (1440) terrified professional scribes (and those who controlled information distribution). Monks who spent years hand-copying books thought their profession would vanish overnight. But the press didn't just replace jobs - it created entirely new ones: Publishers, editors, authors, journalists, and teachers.
The Industrial Revolution sparked the most violent resistance. The Luddites weren't just afraid - they were desperate. Skilled weavers saw their wages plummet as machines could do their work faster. They burned factories and smashed looms. But here's what they couldn't see:
Those same machines that threatened their jobs? They made clothes so cheap that everyone could afford them. This created massive demand, which led to: • More factories • More jobs • Higher wages • New professions The weavers' children became mechanics and engineers.
When automobiles arrived, horse-related industries collapsed. Blacksmiths, stable owners, and carriage makers all feared the worst. But for every horse-related job lost, the auto industry created 100 new ones: Mechanics, dealers, road builders, oil workers, and eventually... software engineers.
Calculating machines were supposed to eliminate mathematicians. Instead, they eliminated boring computation work and let mathematicians tackle bigger problems. The result? More mathematicians working on more complex problems than ever before.
ATMs were predicted to replace bank tellers. The opposite happened: • Banks could open more branches • Tellers focused on complex services • Banking became more accessible • Employment in banking grew Technology eliminated tasks, not jobs.
Personal computers were supposed to create a paperless office. They did the opposite: • Paper usage increased • Office jobs multiplied • New digital industries emerged • Information work exploded We didn't just shift jobs - we created entirely new categories of work.
The internet was predicted to kill retail. Instead, it: • Created e-commerce (millions of jobs) • Enabled small businesses to reach global markets • Spawned entire digital marketing industries • Made entrepreneurship more accessible than ever
Each wave of technology follows the same pattern: 1. Initial fear and resistance 2. Job displacement in specific sectors 3. Creation of new, often better-paying jobs 4. Entirely new industries emerge 5. Net positive job creation
The key insight? Technology doesn't eliminate work - it eliminates specific tasks. This frees humans to focus on more complex, creative, and fulfilling work. Just as agriculture freed us from hunting, AI will free us from routine tasks.
The real question isn't "Will AI take our jobs?" It's "What amazing new jobs will AI enable?" History suggests they'll be jobs we can't even imagine yet. Just like a medieval scribe could never have imagined becoming a software engineer.
So instead of fearing AI, ask yourself: "How can I position myself to thrive in the AI era?" Because if history teaches us anything, it's that technological revolution creates more opportunities than it destroys. The future belongs to those who adapt.
And right now, we're on the cusp of something unprecedented. In a world flooded with AI and automation, the most valuable currency isn't speed or efficiency. It's trust.
That's where programmable cryptography comes in – turning trust from a human emotion into a mathematical certainty. This is why we built ezkl: To give developers the power to make AI systems that don't just work, but can prove they work correctly.
I hope you've found this thread helpful. Follow me @jasonmorton for more. Like/Repost the quote below if you can:
We're witnessing a fundamental shift in technology. Just as computers revolutionized paper processes... Programmable cryptography is transforming computerized systems. Here's why this could be just as important as the Industrial Revolution: