Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

Plaything48 · Feb 18, 2004, 07:19 pm

Yes, it's time to debate what the greatest invention is. Choose whatever you like, e.g. the toilet.

Paavo · Feb 18, 2004, 07:37 pm

I think we had one of these some time ago.

Many good ones came up then, fire, electricity etc etc.
(ok, fire wasn't an "invention" per se...)

The way I see it, one thing leads to another...thus the first (in that "chain") is the most important. And defining the "chains" is impossible too, as everything has something to do with the other in some way or another.

The spear was one of the first ones I'd guess. That was pretty damn important. Same with hammers and those. I can't say just one.

m5lange1 · Feb 18, 2004, 07:57 pm

The printing press.

**Pooeypants** · Feb 19, 2004, 03:19 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (m5lange1,)
The printing press.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
Originally by the Chinese or when it was "reinvented" in Europe?

libertyminded · Feb 19, 2004, 04:24 am

I'll second that m5,

The Chinese movable type machine was nowhere near as usefull as Gutenberg's printing press. The Chinese pictoral written language was too ungainly to ever be used in widespread text.

Furthermore, because the Chinese were such a closedminded racist bunch, they got left in the techonlogical dust, blowing their sizable edge on the west. Screw them and their "we own the whole world" attitude.

Impenitent · Feb 19, 2004, 07:56 am

the most important invention was god

NotScientific · Feb 19, 2004, 08:11 am

The telescope. Well it sure will when it discovers how the universe begun.

Plaything48 · Feb 19, 2004, 08:32 am

Knowing how the universe begun won't help us achieve a lot, other than knowing an answer to one of the oldest questions. I reckon the wheel is. Some scientists say that the wheel is the greatest achievement that evolution missed out on, but you have to ask if for example a moose with wheels for feet would be a great biological achievement.

castille · Feb 19, 2004, 08:34 am

The greatest invention in the world is me.

**Pooeypants** · Feb 19, 2004, 12:54 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (libertyminded,)
I'll second that m5,

The Chinese movable type machine was nowhere near as usefull as Gutenberg's printing press. The Chinese pictoral written language was too ungainly to ever be used in widespread text.

Furthermore, because the Chinese were such a closedminded racist bunch, they got left in the techonlogical dust, blowing their sizable edge on the west. Screw them and their "we own the whole world" attitude.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
Ahem, I am Chinese you know. That's slight over generalisation, I think if anything you should blame the Ming dynasty, whom were responsible for banning gunpowder and closing all borders.

libertyminded · Feb 19, 2004, 02:23 pm

Pooeypants,

Looks to me like you're British. Or do you just use that little flag by your name for shits and giggles? You're no more Chinese than I am Danish after living in America for 3 generations. Yes it was a slight overgeneralization, but only slight. Official Chinese maps claim all of Micronesia, Macronesia, Japan, Siberia, Mongolia, Korea and Australia as their own. All forigners are looked down upon as being inferior in the general society and even more so in upper echlons. The Chinese in China commonly reffer to themselves as "the master race" despite how we all saw that turn out with the Germans and the Jappanese. I can only guess that you've been pretty westernized at this point so good for you. Western culture has it's faults but world domination isn't one of them.

Also I think the wheel comes in a close second but while it's use was vital for many things, it was also a very simple geometric shape and it's properties weren't all that mysterious. The printing press was a complex machine that provided the common man with access education and enlightenment. In the end I believe that knowledge is the most precious thing, even more so than simple locamotion.

Impenitent,

God is a concept not an invention.

Impenitent · Feb 19, 2004, 03:21 pm

the concept was invented by men

**Pooeypants** · Feb 19, 2004, 03:26 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (libertyminded,)
Pooeypants,

Looks to me like you're British. Or do you just use that little flag by your name for shits and giggles? You're no more Chinese than I am Danish after living in America for 3 generations. Yes it was a slight overgeneralization, but only slight. Official Chinese maps claim all of Micronesia, Macronesia, Japan, Siberia, Mongolia, Korea and Australia as their own. All forigners are looked down upon as being inferior in the general society and even more so in upper echlons. The Chinese in China commonly reffer to themselves as "the master race" despite how we all saw that turn out with the Germans and the Jappanese. I can only guess that you've been pretty westernized at this point so good for you. Western culture has it's faults but world domination isn't one of them.
<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
Actually, world domination has been one of the reasons why western europe is so wealthy, remember the time of the empires? The British, French, Spanish, Dutch (whom were assimilated by British) and to less extent Portugese all had empires and wanted world domination. Fancy you not noticing that part.

PS, My parents are chinese, I'm first generation british.

libertyminded · Feb 19, 2004, 05:02 pm

Yes there was a time when Europe was engaged in taking over the world but that thinking has gone by the wayside in the last half of the 20th century. China on the other hand is still convinced that it is the rightfull ruler of the world and has the attitude that "it might take thousands of years but eventually we will be the rulers of all"

Impenitent I stand corrected. God indeed could be catagorized as n invention.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
in·ven·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-vnshn)
n.
1.The act or process of inventing: used a technique of her own invention.
2.A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation: the phonograph, an invention attributed to Thomas Edison.
3.A mental fabrication, especially a falsehood.
4.Skill in inventing; inventiveness: “the invention and sweep of the staging” (John Simon).
5.Music. A short composition developing a single theme contrapuntally.
6.A discovery; a finding. <hr size="1" /></blockquote>

**Pooeypants** · Feb 19, 2004, 05:31 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (libertyminded,)
Yes there was a time when Europe was engaged in taking over the world but that thinking has gone by the wayside in the last half of the 20th century. China on the other hand is still convinced that it is the rightfull ruler of the world and has the attitude that "it might take thousands of years but eventually we will be the rulers of all"
<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
Actually, I'd say the mentality is more of, "we have our China and no one is going to touch us, now go away you silly white foreigners" *in Monty Python-esque voice*

Feb 19, 2004, 05:56 pm

The greatest invention ever was every invention made in the 19th century to give us such a push towards achievement.

NotScientific · Feb 20, 2004, 08:18 am

Well I was hoping would put it but... the computer is one othe biggest discoveries. Plus it helps us to discover other things too.

Feb 18, 2004, 07:19 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
Plaything48 Igneous Magma Location: London baby, yeah! Posts: 198	Yes, it's time to debate what the greatest invention is. Choose whatever you like, e.g. the toilet. A man has two reasons for doing anything --- a good reason and the real reason. Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

Feb 18, 2004, 07:57 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
m5lange1 Igneous Magma Posts: 649	The printing press. Protester against the culture war!!!!

Feb 19, 2004, 03:19 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,472	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (m5lange1,) The printing press.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Originally by the Chinese or when it was "reinvented" in Europe? War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Feb 19, 2004, 04:24 am	#5 (permalink) (top)
libertyminded Molten Ash Location: Seattle, Washington USA Posts: 69	I'll second that m5, The Chinese movable type machine was nowhere near as usefull as Gutenberg's printing press. The Chinese pictoral written language was too ungainly to ever be used in widespread text. Furthermore, because the Chinese were such a closedminded racist bunch, they got left in the techonlogical dust, blowing their sizable edge on the west. Screw them and their "we own the whole world" attitude. "Any man willing to trade freedom for security deserves neither." -Benjamin Franklin

Feb 19, 2004, 07:56 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
Impenitent Hot Lava Posts: 1,859	the most important invention was god "I really like this jacket, but the sleeves are much too long..." insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results...

Feb 18, 2004, 07:37 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Paavo Location: Finland Posts: 712	I think we had one of these some time ago. Many good ones came up then, fire, electricity etc etc. (ok, fire wasn't an "invention" per se...) The way I see it, one thing leads to another...thus the first (in that "chain") is the most important. And defining the "chains" is impossible too, as everything has something to do with the other in some way or another. The spear was one of the first ones I'd guess. That was pretty damn important. Same with hammers and those. I can't say just one.

Feb 19, 2004, 08:11 am	#7 (permalink) (top)
NotScientific Molten Ash Location: Mauritius Posts: 35	The telescope. Well it sure will when it discovers how the universe begun. I'm Columnist here at Volconvo.com and also at BackWash.com. Check my columns in the Science forum then.

Feb 19, 2004, 08:32 am	#8 (permalink) (top)
Plaything48 Igneous Magma Location: London baby, yeah! Posts: 198	Knowing how the universe begun won't help us achieve a lot, other than knowing an answer to one of the oldest questions. I reckon the wheel is. Some scientists say that the wheel is the greatest achievement that evolution missed out on, but you have to ask if for example a moose with wheels for feet would be a great biological achievement. A man has two reasons for doing anything --- a good reason and the real reason. Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

Feb 19, 2004, 08:34 am	#9 (permalink) (top)
castille Citizen #21521 Posts: 2,599	The greatest invention in the world is me. Ideological loyalty is the act of giving your soul to a vague concept, to be manipulated by people smarter than you.

Feb 19, 2004, 12:54 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,472	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (libertyminded,) I'll second that m5, The Chinese movable type machine was nowhere near as usefull as Gutenberg's printing press. The Chinese pictoral written language was too ungainly to ever be used in widespread text. Furthermore, because the Chinese were such a closedminded racist bunch, they got left in the techonlogical dust, blowing their sizable edge on the west. Screw them and their "we own the whole world" attitude.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Ahem, I am Chinese you know. That's slight over generalisation, I think if anything you should blame the Ming dynasty, whom were responsible for banning gunpowder and closing all borders. War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Feb 19, 2004, 02:23 pm	#11 (permalink) (top)
libertyminded Molten Ash Location: Seattle, Washington USA Posts: 69	Pooeypants, Looks to me like you're British. Or do you just use that little flag by your name for shits and giggles? You're no more Chinese than I am Danish after living in America for 3 generations. Yes it was a slight overgeneralization, but only slight. Official Chinese maps claim all of Micronesia, Macronesia, Japan, Siberia, Mongolia, Korea and Australia as their own. All forigners are looked down upon as being inferior in the general society and even more so in upper echlons. The Chinese in China commonly reffer to themselves as "the master race" despite how we all saw that turn out with the Germans and the Jappanese. I can only guess that you've been pretty westernized at this point so good for you. Western culture has it's faults but world domination isn't one of them. Also I think the wheel comes in a close second but while it's use was vital for many things, it was also a very simple geometric shape and it's properties weren't all that mysterious. The printing press was a complex machine that provided the common man with access education and enlightenment. In the end I believe that knowledge is the most precious thing, even more so than simple locamotion. Impenitent, God is a concept not an invention. "Any man willing to trade freedom for security deserves neither." -Benjamin Franklin

Feb 19, 2004, 03:21 pm	#12 (permalink) (top)
Impenitent Hot Lava Posts: 1,859	the concept was invented by men "I really like this jacket, but the sleeves are much too long..." insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results...

Feb 19, 2004, 03:26 pm	#13 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,472	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (libertyminded,) Pooeypants, Looks to me like you're British. Or do you just use that little flag by your name for shits and giggles? You're no more Chinese than I am Danish after living in America for 3 generations. Yes it was a slight overgeneralization, but only slight. Official Chinese maps claim all of Micronesia, Macronesia, Japan, Siberia, Mongolia, Korea and Australia as their own. All forigners are looked down upon as being inferior in the general society and even more so in upper echlons. The Chinese in China commonly reffer to themselves as "the master race" despite how we all saw that turn out with the Germans and the Jappanese. I can only guess that you've been pretty westernized at this point so good for you. Western culture has it's faults but world domination isn't one of them. <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Actually, world domination has been one of the reasons why western europe is so wealthy, remember the time of the empires? The British, French, Spanish, Dutch (whom were assimilated by British) and to less extent Portugese all had empires and wanted world domination. Fancy you not noticing that part. PS, My parents are chinese, I'm first generation british. War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Feb 19, 2004, 05:02 pm	#14 (permalink) (top)
libertyminded Molten Ash Location: Seattle, Washington USA Posts: 69	Yes there was a time when Europe was engaged in taking over the world but that thinking has gone by the wayside in the last half of the 20th century. China on the other hand is still convinced that it is the rightfull ruler of the world and has the attitude that "it might take thousands of years but eventually we will be the rulers of all" Impenitent I stand corrected. God indeed could be catagorized as n invention. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by in·ven·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-vnshn) n. 1.The act or process of inventing: used a technique of her own invention. 2.A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation: the phonograph, an invention attributed to Thomas Edison. 3.A mental fabrication, especially a falsehood. 4.Skill in inventing; inventiveness: “the invention and sweep of the staging” (John Simon). 5.Music. A short composition developing a single theme contrapuntally. 6.A discovery; a finding. <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> "Any man willing to trade freedom for security deserves neither." -Benjamin Franklin

Feb 19, 2004, 05:31 pm	#15 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,472	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (libertyminded,) Yes there was a time when Europe was engaged in taking over the world but that thinking has gone by the wayside in the last half of the 20th century. China on the other hand is still convinced that it is the rightfull ruler of the world and has the attitude that "it might take thousands of years but eventually we will be the rulers of all" <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Actually, I'd say the mentality is more of, "we have our China and no one is going to touch us, now go away you silly white foreigners" in Monty Python-esque voice War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Feb 19, 2004, 05:56 pm	#16 (permalink) (top)
theophysics Guest Posts: n/a	The greatest invention ever was every invention made in the 19th century to give us such a push towards achievement.

Feb 20, 2004, 08:18 am	#17 (permalink) (top)
NotScientific Molten Ash Location: Mauritius Posts: 35	Well I was hoping would put it but... the computer is one othe biggest discoveries. Plus it helps us to discover other things too. I'm Columnist here at Volconvo.com and also at BackWash.com. Check my columns in the Science forum then.