How Technology Shapes How We Move, Speak, and Think
From The Observatory
Human beings have always shaped and been shaped by their tools. From writing and weaving to smartphones and artificial intelligence, every new technology changes how we move, see, and understand the world. In The Body Digital, Vanessa Chang explores how our bodies—our hands, voices, ears, eyes, and even our feet—have evolved alongside our machines.
Chang explains that good tools often seem invisible because they work so smoothly we forget they’re there. Yet these same tools quietly guide our actions and reshape our senses. For example, the hand was once the main “interface” between people and the world, but machines like the Jacquard loom and computers began to replace human touch with automation. The voice, once tied to the living body, became separable through sound recording and now lives on through digital versions and AI. Our ears have been trained by technologies from music boxes to streaming playlists, while our eyes now rely on cameras and algorithms that alter how we see reality. Even our feet have entered the digital age, as step counters and smart cities turn walking into data.
Chang argues that these technologies don’t just extend our abilities—they also change what it means to be human. When our tools become invisible, we risk forgetting how deeply they influence us. But she also sees hope: if we design technology that serves human needs rather than replacing them, we can use it to connect more deeply with one another and the world.
Ultimately, Chang reminds us that our digital future isn’t separate from our bodies—it’s built through them. To create a better world, we must remember that we are not just users of technology, but embodied beings whose tools mirror our values and shape our humanity.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
