What’s The History Of The Bicycle Got To Do With Techno-Optimism?

In the 1800s, people thought the invention of the bicycle would spell the downfall of society. 

Criticism spanned from causing insanity to, wait for it, corrupting women’s morals (yep, that old chestnut).

One newspaper article from 1898 even reported that hopping on two wheels was causing a disease called  “bicycle heart”. 

But what’s all that got to do with techno-optimism? 

Well, techno-optimists believe that the good of technology outweighs the bad. They’re positive about its current state and think it will, ultimately, solve the major social and environmental problems of our times.  

And they point to historical examples of technophobia to remind us that the moral panic surrounding new innovation is often unfounded. 

Of course, techno-optimism has its critics. 

Some people argue technology isn’t a cure-all for society’s problems. Others worry that too much faith in its benefits will blind us to its dangers. 

But I think there’s one thing we can all agree on. 

We wouldn’t want to live in a world where bicycles didn’t exist. 

Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to, anyway.