Tech is Often Built Before It’s Understood

Throughout history, major technologies were deployed before we fully understood how they worked. Driven by intuition and results, innovation often led while theory followed. Here are examples where applied practice came first and deep understanding came later.

  • LLMs – 2020s: Deployed before understanding how large models internally represent abstract concepts, invent facts, perform multi-step reasoning, or compress knowledge across modalities.
  • CRISPR – 2012: Used for gene editing before full understanding of DNA repair and off-target effects.
  • Quantum dots – 1980s: Applied in displays before full understanding of quantum confinement physics.
  • MRI – 1970s: Developed before complete models of tissue relaxation and spin behavior.
  • Semiconductors – 1947: Built before full understanding of solid-state physics and carrier behavior.
  • Penicillin – 1940s: Used before knowing bacterial resistance mechanisms and exact biochemical targets.
  • Radar – 1940s: Engineered before complete models of electromagnetic scattering and signal analysis.
  • Nuclear fission – 1940s: Built before fully understanding neutron behavior and fission chain reactions.
  • Aspirin – 1899: Commercialized before discovering its mechanism of enzyme inhibition.
  • Innovation rarely waits for full understanding. As new technologies emerge, history reminds us that building often comes first—and explaining comes later.

Innovation rarely waits for full understanding. As new technologies emerge, history reminds us that building often comes first—and explaining comes later.

Every New Tech Sparks Resistance

A protest, led by John Saxon, opposed the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ policy to integrate calculators at all grade levels, reflecting a broader 1980s debate on technology in education, with some states like New York later mandating calculator use by 1992, while California banned them in 1997 assessments.

New technologies are often resisted with claims they will harm health, disrupt society, or destroy traditional skills.

  • Personal Computers 1980s Warned to cause unemployment and dehumanization
  • Automobiles 1900s Seen as dangerous death machines disrupting public safety
  • Telephones 1900s Criticized for undermining face-to-face communication
  • Electricity 1880s Feared as a fire hazard and unnatural disruption to daily life
  • Bicycles 1880s Claimed to cause health problems and moral decline
  • Typewriters 1870s Criticized for making handwriting and traditional clerical skills obsolete
  • Elevators 1850s Feared as unsafe due to mechanical failure risks
  • Railroads 1800s Believed to harm livestock and cause physical illness from speed
  • Vaccines 1800s Opposed for violating personal freedom and religious beliefs
  • Industrial Machinery 1810s Feared to destroy skilled jobs and livelihoods

Mount Everest Basecamp at Sunset

I summited Everest 18 years ago. This photo by Konsta Punkka appears (to me) to be taken from Pumori. It really brings me back. This photo was taken in April/May, when basecamp is fully built-out. Basecamp looks about the same size as when I climbed it. This may surprise those who think the mountain has gotten way more crowded. The fact is that the Khumbu icefall basin is large and can accomodate a lot of tents. Fun fact from Konsta, the mountain lighted up behind is actually in Tibet and the one in front in Nepal.

Life without Wings: Celebrity Flight Bans and No Fly Lists

Curiosity led me to dig into why celebrities get flying bans and what losing flight access really means for travel to Europe; I know you’re thinking about it, getting to Europe on a boat takes 2 weeks.

In 2006, Snoop Dogg and his entourage got into a fight with Heathrow security. British Airways banned everyone involved. The airline said none of them would ever fly BA again. Other bans follow the same pattern: disruptive behavior that crosses a line.

A few examples:

  • Alec Baldwin was kicked off an American Airlines flight in 2011 after refusing to turn off his phone during takeoff.
  • Naomi Campbell was banned from British Airways in 2008 after an altercation with police over lost luggage.
  • David Hasselhoff was initially denied boarding by BA for being intoxicated.
  • Ivana Trump was removed from a flight in 2009 after becoming belligerent about screaming children.
  • Josh Duhamel refused to power down his phone during taxi. The pilot turned the aircraft around and had him removed.
  • Kate Moss was taken off an EasyJet flight in 2015 after disruptive behavior and comments to the crew.
  • Jonathan Rhys Meyers was banned from United for a period due to drunken behavior.
  • Liam Gallagher was banned for life from Cathay Pacific after an onboard argument involving a scone. He said he’d rather walk.

These bans can be lifted. And no one is banned from all carriers. Airlines set their own policies. There is no global system tracking bad passengers.

Separately, governments run their ow-fly lists. These target terrorism, not unruly customers. Examples include:

  • The US No Fly List
  • The UK’s aviation security controls
  • Canada’s Secure Air Travel Act List
  • The EU’s use of Schengen and common security indicators

If you lose the ability to fly commercially, you can still cross oceans in a plane, but the cost or time becomes large. San Francisco to Berlin costs $250K on a private jet or a 14-day crossing by ship.

“Behind the Music: 15 Incredible Facts From ‘We Are the World’ Netflix Special”

The Greatest Night In Pop, a Netflix special

  1. What sign did Quncy hang above the door? “Check your ego at the door”
  2. Who didn’t come because he thought it might be too many people and questionable quality? Prince.
  3. Who wrote a lot of it, and saved the day with several impromptu verse writings this night? Michael Jackson, along with Lionel Richie, wrote the song and played a significant role in its development.
  4. Who co-hosted the AMAs the previous night, won a handful of AMA awards, and played a key role in the “We Are the World” recording? Lionel Richie
  5. Who produced and directed the evening? Quincy Jones
  6. Who was the least nervous? Stevie Wonder
  7. Who got paid? No one. All singers and participants, including technical staff, volunteered their time.
  8. Who celebrated early? There are no verified reports of Al Jarreau or any other artist getting drunk at the event. But Al may have drunk wine.
  9. What time did it start and end? The session started around 10:30 PM on January 28, 1985, and ended approximately at 8:00 AM the next day. Rolling Stone Magazine did a minute-by-minute https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/we-are-the-world-a-minute-by-minute-breakdown-54619
  10. What takeout did they get? Food from Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles and Wendy’s hamburgers was provided.
  11. What did Kenny Rogers eat? Wendy’s burgers nom nom.
  12. Who wore white “We are the world” sweatshirts? Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross
  13. What comedian was there? Dan Aykroyd because of his role in Blues Brothers. 

  14. Who walked out during recording? Waylon Jennings. Stevie Wonder wanted everyone to sing a verse in Swahili, but no one spoke it very well. Waylon said, “No good ol’ boy ever spoke Swahili” and left. Swahili isn’t spoken in Ethiopia, the country for which the food drive was primarily organized.
  15. Who was the last to leave? Diana Ross was among the last to leave, famously expressing she didn’t want it to end.