Engineering the possibilities

 
Humans are distinguished beings because we have undertaken tremendous tasks of adapting to the environment by designing and building machines and structures since prehistoric times. We know from the archaeological pieces that endured since the Stone Ages, humans were set on surviving by improvising their tools and weapons, thus instituting an engineering revolution. We managed to inhabit almost all parts of the land areas of the globe, tamed the beasts and harnessed natural sources of power such as the sun, wind, and water. We engineered novel ways to convert heat to mechanical energy. We moved from small nomadic societies to large civilized societies. The county of Wiltshire in the United Kingdom is rich in archaeological history where I happened to drop in on not long ago. There stood in apparent isolation on the Salisbury plain, the site of Stonehenge. The mighty stones placed in a circle and further capped with another set of stones is certainly an engineering marvel. It dates back to 3000 BC and it must definitely have been constructed by an organised group of craftsmen and labourers. Iron Age monuments and rock-cut caves in the west coast of peninsular India indicate human activity from that period.
Then gradually we made technological advances to serve our requirements. Advances in agriculture, cooking, brewing, architecture, windmills, sailing, sundials to mechanical clock making, gunpowder, metal production, and so on benefited us in myriad ways. Invention of the printing press and paper spread ideas quickly. This led to Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution making us modern beings. Dissemination of knowledge and ideas enlightened us. Voyages of discovery, philanthropic endeavours, exploitation, and imperial expansion followed. Then came the vast transport revolution with the invention of steam engine, internal combustion engine, and electricity. We upgraded to high-standards of living with the telegraph, telephone, radio, and television. Then we ventured into electronic computing and the internet making instant communication around the world and even into outer space possible. On the other hand, we also became rivals hateful to one another, created weaponry and subjected our lives to constant threat of conflict. Our engineering revolution is colossal and it gave us power and great potential that we may responsibly use and not ill-use.
I remember as a child when I picked up a stick in a garden, it held an abundance of possibilities. It could be a sword, a hook, a flute, a catapult, a writing stick, or a magic wand. Every day is wrapped up in new beginnings and adventures.  When a plain stick can be whatever we opt for, we can engineer the possibilities and new beginnings out there waiting. So, what are you waiting for?