Please help understand this quote by Godfrey Reggio:?

Question

"The utopia of the technological order is virtual immortality. Hithertofore only ascribed to the gods, to the divinity. Now we have a new pantheon, the computer sits in the middle of it, the computer not being a sign, is the most powerful instrument in the world in that it produces what it signifies, it produces this globalization, in that sense it is the highest magic in the world, and something we are all in admiration of."

-Godfrey Reggio

''the computer not being a sign, is the most powerful instrument in the world in that it produces what it signifies''

What does this mean?

Answer 1

My take is that he is saying the computer is both symbolic of vast knowledge and communication, and also is the tool that makes this possible.  It fits into the whole comment since he is saying that people in this technology age strive for power, insight, and knowledge that was formerly only available to deity.  Now we have this machine that serves as the peak of current technological advancement while also being the instrument for further human advancement.  It has made time and distance virtually meaningless since we can connect with virtually anyone anywhere in the world in a moment, which was unthinkable a century ago.

Answer 2

He is saying that the computer age is like a god.. It can manifest itself from one place to another. Not like gods that are a sign of virtue but it displays it's power, and  shows you it's magic everyday... and you can admire it...  Godfrey Reggio was very passionate about this quote.. Notice how he says that, the Utopia...or this perfect place that the computer sets, is beyond mortality... this signifies that it is forever and it is very powerful  because it does what it is suppose too....create technology..

Beautiful quote.....

Answer 3

we as a civilization are hinging a lot to computers and the internet, and we are not done yet, the possibilities are in the early stage. the web is like the wild west of yore.

It signifies change and immediacy, and that's what it produces.

Answer 4

The power and impact of the computer in our society can be compared to (a) God (s).

Translated as follows- utopia typically refers to paradise or a place of euphoria and perfection.  Virtual immortality would be that "that which is not real, but has all the qualities of being real" lasting forever - or "an aspect of reality that is not material, but is real" that lasts forever. -

So, perfection, to all techies, would be a never ending web-based and controlled reality.

The pantheon was a temple for the gods.

The computer is not a "sign" (all gods and religions referred to signs of their arrival, power, and coming)- it is a real thing.

The computer actually produces and creates so effectively, and has so much impact that it seems like magic.  It affects reality in the entire world, and creates realities online based on interactions by people all over the world.

People admire computers, and look for them to do things that, in the past, they would have expected only gods to have the power to accomplish.