Starting with the rise of the Industrial Revolution in the18th century, steam engines were used in various fields, such as textile weaving, mining, agriculture, transportation, and production plants.
In
this transformative period, automated manufacturing began, economic production surged, new forms of capitalism developed, air polluted cities attracted large rural
populations, and unknown social problems emerged.
Furthermore, scientific activities vastly increased.
A growing
number of amateur and professional scientists in different research fields
sought out significant discoveries and exploitable technologies, which often brought substantial rewards.
Yet, while many scientific issues – however complex – were being rapidly solved, ethical issues were a different story.
Eventually, though considerable populations began to enjoy longer and more comfortable lives, the rift between the positive and negative outcomes of technological breakthroughs seemed to go deeper in unprecedented ways.
Today, along with the increasing achievements for the benefit of humanity – as the saying goes – the growing doomsday scenarios are an open secret.
Tailor made viruses, fossil fuel engines, nuclear devices, or intelligent robotic machines – to mention some examples – might sooner or later trigger the demise of humanity.
In the modern age, the most intelligent species first managed to jeopardize its existence.
Scientists, the paragons of intelligence, played an indispensable role in this weird achievement.