Super Short Summary

How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson delves into the historical background of various inventions, debunking myths by showing how they emerged from hard work and perseverance. Johnson highlights how collaborative efforts and sociotechnical conditions influence major innovations, such as the Internet, and argues that inventions lead to future innovations, with no invention being an end in itself. The book explores unexpected impacts of technologies, like how the light bulb led to significant social reforms. The text emphasizes the interconnectedness and the unpredictable cascade effects of technological advancements. The hunting of sperm whales to near-extinction is a prominent topic in the book.