Technology Haiku By John P. Curtin

2002

John P. Curtin (1967-2012) was a writing professor at DePaul University. He also led bike tours in Seattle, and on one trip he crashed and broke his neck, leaving him paralyzed. He wrote the following poem using a voice-activated computer program when he was asked to show how poetry can communicate information. As you read, note the speaker’s specific examples of technology and how they compare to one another.

[1] Knowledge and tools:

Chariot into auto;

Stick into shovel.

It is as simple

As a spoon or as complex

[6] As the space shuttle.

Once it was the wheel.

Now it is the microchip.

[9] What will it be next?

PART A: Which of the following best identifies the theme of the poem?

A.
We cannot predict the future.

B.
Technology is helpful and continues to develop.

C.
More advanced technology is more important than simple inventions.

D.
New inventions do not make things better