For me, books - like all forms off art - are meant to influence your person. When I was young and had just read The Lord of the Ring, I wanted to be a humble hero just like Frodo. As I grew up, I think the obviousness of this influence began disappearing. I believe this is why I enjoy dystopias so much, they fairly clearly change your perception on, most often, society - at least if its a good book. I can’t as clearly point to most other books I read and say “they changed me this way”, even though I loved the Percy Jackson and Legend series. The Technological Society changed me.

The Technological society by Jacques Ellul is a book published in France 1954. It is a sociology discussing al aspects of technology. It begins discussing the definition and what technology is. While the explanation spans for chapters, and no clear definition is given, one could shortly explain his definition as “efficient means”. The book continues to discuss the machine, economics, politics and humanity, all from the aspects of technology. Throughout the book, it becomes very clear how much influence technology has on the world.

One of the core feelings I had while reading the book, and the feeling got worse the more I read, was a feeling of doom and dystopia. One of the core messages, and one I find inarguable, is that “the technical solution is always more efficient than the non technical”. This also means that “technology always wins”, an effect you probably can observe in many aspects of your life. Ellul argues that this causes all states to become more authoritarian - as the authoritarian state is more efficient. One simple moral for this statement is the fact that most states have an law allowing for it to become and dictatorship while at war. At war, the morals is ignore in favor of protecting the country, and dictatorship is way more efficient than democracy. While reading this book, I couldn’t help draw connections to dystopian books I read - 1984, Brave New World and The Handmaids Tale. Many would argue that the authoritarian state is the core figure casing the dystopian aspects of those books, I to used to think and argue that. Having read Ellul’s book, I can argue no other than that technology is the dystopian aspects, the state is a mere puppet under technologies control. In essence, Ellul argues that al countries is turning into these dystopian states in the novels, and he makes a great case while arguing that.

Many people ho has heard of this book thinks about Ted Kaczynski (a.k.a the Unabomber). That’s because this book was of high influence to him.

Starting in 1975, Kaczynski performed acts of sabotage including arson and booby trapping against developments near his cabin. He also dedicated himself to reading about sociology and political philosophy, including the works of Jacques Ellul. Kaczynski’s brother David later stated that Ellul’s book The Technological Society “became Ted’s Bible”. Kaczynski recounted in 1998, “When I read the book for the first time, I was delighted, because I thought, ‘Here is someone who is saying what I have already been thinking.’” – Wikipedia

While I haven’t read any of Kaczynski’s works, I do not believe he has interpreted Ellul’s book as he intended. My simple moral for this is that, from my understanding, Ellul argues that one cannot stop technology. You may influence technologies affect on you, but not on a society level. I believe this is fairly clearly argued at the chapter echoes. From my understanding, Kaczynski’s goal is to “stop technique” and make the man free again, but any attempt to this is in vain.

In conclusion, this is a great book which has opened my eyes and made me perceive the world very differently. While I haven’t become a anarchist yet, I will view my choices in life through a new lens, and maybe be less in support for the authoritarian choices our government makes. I will probably try to be more human in my life, and rely less on technology, especially in regards for entertainment. The book is very complex, and a lot of times I had no idea what I was reading. I could probably read the book again and find out something new every time. I would recommend the book to anyone whom believe he is able to work itself through the book, for anyone would learn from it. Up next, I which to read something fictional, and in Swedish, and I have chosen Björnstad by Fredrik Backman.