How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"That requires about as much power as a small radio transmitter—and rather similar skills to operate. For it's the application of the power, not its amount that matters." (6.7-8)
The themes of power and technology share a close bond in Childhood's End. For Karellen, it's all about how one uses technology that truly creates power, not how powerful the device itself is. Just think of that grandpa you know who bought the most advanced computer at Best Buy but can't figure out how to set up his Facebook account. See what we're saying?
Quote #5
Here was a revelation which no one could doubt or deny: here, seen by some unknown magic of Overlord science, were the true beginnings of all the world's great faiths. (6.31)
The Overlords' technology is so powerful that the only thing the human mind can compare it to is the power of the gods of the world's religions. But that's just science fiction, right? Right?
Quote #6
"Are you quite sure of that?" said Karellen, so softly that it was hard to hear his words. "Only a hundred years lie between the age of electricity and the age of steam, but what would a Victorian engineer have made of a television set or an electronic computer? And how long would he have lived if he started to investigate their workings? The gulf between two technologies can easily become so great that it is—lethal." (14.22)
Power and technology meet once again for the first time for the last time… yeah. Karellen compares the gulf of technology between humanity and the Overlords to that between modern times and the Victorians. Just imagine a Victorian watching a VSauce YouTube video and watch his mind go pop.