If They Build It, You Will Buy It

After visiting the Apple store a few days ago, I heard the words of Jared Diamond resounding through my mind. The particular quote I was recalling involved his theory that invention has always been the mother of necessity, which holds a stark contrast with the common perception that necessity is the mother of invention. Immediately after finishing the book, I found myself agreeing whole-heartedly with his viewpoint, but now that the information has had time to settle in my brain, discrepancies have arisen between my theory and his. For example, I believe that in archaic society, necessity fathered invention. After all, did the caveman not develop fire to meet his need for cooked meat and warmth? This pattern of needs being met by technology continued throughout history for many a century. I believe that the system changed only after the Industrial Revolution, when mass-production was born. This is, I believe, the period when basic human needs went from being met, to being surpassed. As I walked among the countless rows of Ipods, I was reminded that in this day and age, every new invention is made only with the anticipation that people will come to want and need it. Having all of my favorite songs at the tips of my fingers isn't necessary for my survival, but after hearing of the creation of the Ipod, I simply had to have it. This proves that if they build it, you will buy it.