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Nikola Tesla on why wonders quickly become common
In his 1919 autobiography 'My Inventions', inventor Nikola Tesla wrote: 'We crave for new sensations but soon become indifferent to them. The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences.' The Times of…
The Story in Brief
In his 1919 autobiography 'My Inventions', inventor Nikola Tesla wrote: 'We crave for new sensations but soon become indifferent to them. The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences.' The Times of India notes the line captures how humans rapidly grow accustomed to even the most remarkable inventions, from electric lighting to pocket-sized computers. Tesla, who helped shape the electrical age, observed that novelty fades after repeated exposure, making once-astonishing technologies feel ordinary within a generation.
The article highlights that this pattern holds true today: instant global communication, on-demand video and satellite navigation are now taken for granted, even though earlier generations would have found them impossible. Tesla's insight warns that constant novelty-seeking rarely produces lasting satisfaction. The cycle of excitement, familiarity and indifference repeats with each new invention, dulling appreciation for genuine progress.
The Indian Opinion
Tesla's century-old observation cuts through the hype around every new gadget or app launch. Indians, who embraced UPI payments and cheap mobile data faster than most, know the feeling well: yesterday's revolution is tomorrow's routine. Neither techno-optimism nor cynicism is warranted, novelty's fade is simply human nature. The real test is whether we can still pause to appreciate the infrastructure beneath the convenience. Next time you grumble about a slow connection, ask yourself: when did I last marvel that instant global communication exists at all?
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
