What could the average joe really do.

For starters this is a totally hypothetical question with no basis other than to discover much people know about the technological world we live in.

How well would the average person be able to: influence,re-invent technology,lead,and create a kind of industrial revolution (opposition from religion not withstanding) in say the 1500s.
I mean how many people even know how a microwave works? Most people dont even know how 99% of the technologies in their homes work,i know the ideas would be there but are ideas enough?.......da vinci had great 'IDEAS' but where did that get him at the time.

[edit on 8-9-2004 by ufo3]

I could change the world with a few million in initial investment, from what I've gathered over a couple of years of reading.

The internet can teach you how to do anything, and once you learn how a lot of things work you begin to combine the concepts in your mind to solve everyday problems no one else would see as a problem. Some things that make millions aren't even that complicated. In my engineering class my professor told me that the toaster oven was invented when some engineers were debating the problems of a traditional toaster. One of the problems someone came up with was, "It can't heat up whole sandwiches." Someone else replied, "What do you want, an oven?" Cha-ching.

Good question... have you ever read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court?

I doubt I could do much on my own. I could perhaps synthesize some gunpowder, and construct a crude telegraph, but that would be about it.

Originally posted by Odd
Good question... have you ever read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court?

I doubt I could do much on my own. I could perhaps synthesize some gunpowder, and construct a crude telegraph, but that would be about it.

If you did a little reading at howstuffworks.com you'd be able to do everything in that book.

Most people wouldn't though. It's not that they can't learn and understand 100% of the things in their house, it's just that they don't care. They don't "need" to know so they don't try to find out.

Well, the problem isn't that I don't know the physics and mechanics behind technology, it's simply that I wouldn't have the resources four centuries ago. Even electric lights would be difficult, without any way to manufacture wire in sufficient quantity.

The biggest problem for the average person is that they don't have the money to develop and market their ideas. I am the coowner of a patent and it takes a lot time and money to get one. Even after you get the patent, you still have to pay fees to maintain it and there is no guaranty that you can sell it. Our invention works, but one company even told us that if it would work that their engineers would have already invented it. They don't want to pay the average person for their inventions.

Originally posted by MBF
The biggest problem for the average person is that they don't have the money to develop and market their ideas. I am the coowner of a patent and it takes a lot time and money to get one. Even after you get the patent, you still have to pay fees to maintain it and there is no guaranty that you can sell it. Our invention works, but one company even told us that if it would work that their engineers would have already invented it. They don't want to pay the average person for their inventions.

The average person doesn't have the money to open a resturaunt, but somehow many average people do, and they profit from it. If you made whatever it is you invented on a small scale and moved up from there with your profits, you could theoretically make it. 80% of new businesses fail but the garage businesses that made it include the likes of Dell and Land Rover.

If you don't mind, what is the patent #? I'd like to see, I'm always up for learning about new technology.

One thing ive alway wonted to learn how to make properly is a long bow one day il look it up & make one it'll be total rubish but could come in handy if i need to make a fire.

Originally posted by shbaz
If you did a little reading at howstuffworks.com you'd be able to do everything in that book.

Most people wouldn't though. It's not that they can't learn and understand 100% of the things in their house, it's just that they don't care. They don't "need" to know so they don't try to find out.

"howstuffworks" is the bible for do yourself people.

As you said most people really don't care about that kind of stuff, they get even more discouraged because when they try and do something for the first time they are easly wrong and develop the attitude that those things are meant for geniuses and not for them. Idiots.

I mean I have failed at everything I did, but I haven't stopped, well at some things, but at things like understanding I will never stop, I think the culture I was brought up in played a huge role in it.

So people "TRY AND TRY DON'T CRY" for godsake.