Pessimists Archive Presents: The Franklin Fallacy, Why We Misjudge New Technologies
Duration: 00:15:45
Speaker: Louis Anslow
Type: Talk
Expertise: Beginner
Event: Devcon
Date: Nov 2024
People often dismiss emerging technologies by focusing only on their current limitations, overlooking their potential evolution. This tendency, seen throughout history—from the telegraph to Ethereum—stems from what can be called “The Franklin Fallacy.” When asked about the purpose of a hot air balloon, Benjamin Franklin famously responded, "What good is a newborn baby?" highlighting how judging a technology in its infancy is shortsighted. This talk explores the psychology of this fallacy.
