Paleotechnic Paradise: Coketown -- Eric Baker

Lewis Mumford (October 19, 1895 – January 26, 1990) was a well-known 20^th century author and journalist as well as an American historian. He is most famous for his studies of cities and urban architecture, which is the main topic for Paleotechnic Paradise: Coketown. Coketown is an excerpt taken from Mumford’s book, The City in History, written in 1961.

This piece focuses on the balance of technology and nature. Before the industrial revolution, there was a strong emphasis on the arts and religion. This emphasis has been declining since the 16^th century, while being replaced by an interest on economic activities. Without this balance, technology destroys nature, as seen by the method in which factories dispose of garbage and the lifestyle of the laboring class. However, later in the 19^th century, when technology began to benefit people other than the upper and middle classes, we see something resembling a harmony between nature and technology. It allowed for fresh water to be supplied, an increase in food supply, and cleaner cities in general, which benefited not only the cities’ inhabitants, but the environment as well.

One can only wonder: what if we lose this harmony between nature and technology? Through the years, our technological advances have opened the door for many wonderful and potentially deadly developments. The effects could be much more harmful and lasting than that of a steam engine or burning coal.