The Evolution and Philosophy of Technological Progress: Beyond Postmodernism

Introduction

The technological advances of the post-1960s era represent a radical rethinking of humanity’s relationship with information, space, and time. These advances shape not only tools and machinery but the very essence of human experience and societal norms.

Unlike postmodernist perspectives, which tend to be critical and skeptical of objective truth, this essay seeks to explore technology’s role through an empirical, almost phenomenological lens — considering technology as an evolving force that intensifies novelty, connection, and complexity over time.

Drawing on theories from McKenna’s “novelty theory” and modern insights into technological symbiosis, we will explore how technology drives the evolving human experience, propelling civilization into new realms of understanding and interaction.

Part I: The Acceleration of Complexity in Technological Evolution

Technological evolution does not follow a linear path but rather an asymptotic one, increasing in complexity as time progresses.

This phenomenon aligns with McKenna’s notion of “novelty theory,“ which posits that novelty — defined as complexity and advanced organization — increases as we approach the present.

This theory challenges the classical view of the universe as winding down toward entropy, as stated by the second law of thermodynamics. Instead, McKenna suggests that the universe is, in a sense, a “novelty-producing engine,” constantly building upon prior complexity to create more intricate forms, phenomena, and interrelationships traditional technological development might have progressed incrementally, modern technology appears to be driven by a unique “complexification” tendency. This tendency manifests in the rapid convergence of different technological, social, and biological systems that amplify novelty and catalyze unprecedented interactions.

Here, human beings and their technologies are not seen as distinct from nature but as continuous expressions of the same process — akin to the evolution of species and the shifting of tectonic plates, but at a vastly accelerated rate.

According to McKenna, the convergence of biological and technological systems is reflective of a “cosmos… a kind of novelty-producing engine” that thrives on interconnection and complexity, gradually building toward what he calls the “Omega Point” .

Part II: Beings as Part of Technological Complexity

The convergence of biological life and technology reflects not a divergence but an extension of natural processes. This view aligns with the philosophy of technology as a force of synthesis, integrating human identity, biology, and technology into a unified process of complexification. As noted, McKenna describes this convergence as “epigenetic,” wherein human-created technologies, languages, and societal structures emerge as organic extensions of natural evolution. In this light, human identity is inherently tied to its technological developments, progressing through different epochs of technological symbiosis that redefine what it means to be human. From the shift to agricultural societies to the industrial revolution and now the information age, technology and humanity are engaged in an evolutionary dance that propels both toward new forms of identity and existence.

Modern exemplary process can be seen in our relationship with digital technology. Today’s society, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, is increasingly interwoven with digital information spaces. McKenna’s foresight that technological novelty would affect humanity’s very nature is evident as young generations are immersed in a digital matrix that shapes their social, economic, and personal identities. This phenomenon could be seen as an evolutionary response to the current density of information, echoing McKenna’s hypothesis of “novelty producing engines” reaching a state of hyper-connectivity. This is reflected in how human beings navigate the digital landscape as extensions of their own cognitive and social structures.

Part III: The Omega Point of the Transcendental Object

McKenna’s “Omega Point” theory offers a compelling framework for understanding the trajectory of human-technological evolution.

According to McKenna, humanity is moving toward a “transcendental object” at the end of time — an entity or state of existence marked by total connectivity and infinite novelty.

This is not merely a scientific hypothesis but a philosophical reflection on the directionality and purpose inherent in technological progress. As McKenna points out, the “universe has a preference for order over disorder” and seems to be moving toward a highly novel, organized, and interconnected state .

In this context, McKenna’s Omega Point sical endpoint where humanity transcends its biological limitations through technology.

We are beginning to see the formation of an “electronic noosphere” — a term McKenna uses to describe the global connectivity achieved through digital networks and the internet.

This noosphere allows for real-time information exchange, expanding human consciousness to a planetary level. Humanity’s integration with technology enables a “global mind” capable of unprecedented levels of creativity, insight, and organization, an idea that aligns with McKenna’s belief that “we are now within the shadow of this transcendental object”.

Part IV: Human Technology as an Extension of Consciousness

One of McKenna’s central insights is that technology is not an external tool but an extension of human consciousness itself. This idea diverges from traditional materialist views, which perceive technology as separate and subordinate to human intent. Instead, McKenna and others propose that technological developments act as manifestations of the collective human psyche. In essence, technology externalizes human cognition, emotions, and social structures, serving as a bridge between individual and collective consciousness.

The digital realm is an ideal example of this extension of consciousness. Social media, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality provide platforms for individuals to project, share, and refine their thoughts and identities in real time. According to McKenna, as technology evolves, it not only expands what human beings can do but also what they can perceive and become. Technology, therefore, operates as a feedback loop, continually amplifying human consciousness while shaping the trajectory of technological growth.

In this sense, each technological breakthrough — whether it be language, the printing press, or the internet — has acted as a “concrescence” of consciousness, a term McKenna borrows from philosopher Alfred North Whitehead to describe a phenomenon reaching its fullest, most integrated expression .

McKenna’s concept of “epigenetic change” further illustrates this point. Unlike genetic evolution, which occurs over millennia, epigenetic change reflects alterations in language, customs, and technology, all of which evolve at an exponential rate. This aligns with McKenna’s vision that human culture is rapidly evolving, allowing consciousness to become more flexible and adaptable to technological influences. This “accelerated novelty” marks a unique chapter in human history, where the human experience is interwoven with an ever-evolving, digitalized expression of collective identity and knowledge .

Part V: The Information Age as a Technological Symbiosis

In the context of human evolution, the rise of digital technology represents a symbiosis that fundamentally changes the nature of reality itself. Millennials and Gen Z, often described as “digital natives,” exist within a social and economic ecosystem heavily mediated by technology. This is not merely a technological shift but a shift in human experience and interaction. While previous generations could navigate life with minimal engagement in digital spaces, today’s youth cannot. As McKenna theorized, we are approaching a period of total integration with technology, resulting in a human-machine symbiosis that effectively merges physical and informational space.

This trend poses complex questions for traditional political and social frameworks. For instance, the housing crisis affecting younger generations may not only be a product of economic policies but also of a deeper shift in how society values and interacts with space. Digital spaces increasingly serve as social, economic, and cultural hubs, potentially diminishing the traditional necessity of physical ownership and habitation. McKenna’s view of this shift can be seen as a precursor to today’s discussions on virtual reality, digital ownership, and the “metaverse,” where digital domains may replace some aspects of physical existence .

Politicians, according to McKenna, are often slow to perceive these shifts, treating them as policy issues rather than symptoms of a broader cultural transformation. As such, political interventions may appear out of sync with the lived reality of younger generations, who are now “inhabiting” digital spaces as fluidly as physical ones. Thus, understanding this shift toward a digitalized human experience is crucial for addressing contemporary issues in a way that resonates with this new generation .

Part VI: The Role of Psychedelics in Technological and Consciousness Expansion

One of the more unconventional yet profound elements of McKenna’s philosophy is his advocacy for psychedelics as tools for understanding and accelerating human-technological integration. Psychedelics, McKenna argues, allow individuals to perceive dimensions of reality typically hidden from ordinary perception, serving as an experiential model of what the future might hold in an increasingly interconnected, post-biological world. For McKenna, psychedelics are not escapist but rather exploratory, offering insights into the structure of reality and human consciousness.

This exploration of consciousness is particularly relevant in the digital age, where virtual reality and immersive technologies mimic some of the altered states of awareness achieved through psychedelics. McKenna views psychedelics as a bridge between humanity’s current technological reality and its potential future as an information-based, digitally integrated species. This psychedelic perspective, McKenna suggests, aligns with the intuitive sense that humanity is on the brink of a significant transformation, one that may redefine existence itself. Psychedelics provide a means of glimpsing the transcendental object, that Omega Point where humanity merges with technology, achieving a synthesis between mind and machine.

Part VII: Technological Determinism and the Challenge of Human Autonomy

McKenna’s views on technological determinism challenge the traditional notion of human agency, proposing that humanity may be acting less as autonomous agents and more as conduits for technological evolution. In this view, humans and their technological creations are not separate entities; rather, humans are vehicles through which technology evolves, almost as if following its own trajectory toward increasing complexity and novelty. As McKenna argues, this process “willful or not, seems to have a life of its own, suggesting that humans may be as much passengers as they are drivers on this technological journey.”

This deterministic perspective raises ethical questions about human autonomy, particularly as digital technologies gain increasing control over personal and social decisions.

For example, as AI and algorithmic systems make more choices on behalf of individuals — shaping everything from search results to social interactions and even financial decisions — questions arise about the degree of control humans genuinely possess over their lives.

McKenna’s notion of the “transcendental object” may suggest a point at which human beings achieve a complete fusion with technology, resulting in a form of existence that transcends traditional notions of individuality and autonomy.

Conclusion: At the Crossroads of Technological Evolution

In 2024, humanity stands at a transformative crossroads in its relationship with technology, with two distinct paths shaping our collective future. One path involves rapid integration, fully embracing technology to create an interconnected, highly capable society. This trajectory offers vast opportunities in innovation, real-time knowledge exchange, and global problem-solving, potentially leading us to a new era of human achievement.

Yet, this path carries significant risks, from susceptibility to large-scale failures — such as an EMP attack affecting global networks — to unforeseen mis-alignments if convergence is pursued prematurely, without adequate testing or understanding of long-term impacts.

Alternatively, a cautious approach calls for balancing technological integration with resilience, human adaptability, and thorough prototyping. This path acknowledges the potential dangers of rushing convergence, such as the risk of de-evolution — where human skills, adaptability, and biological resilience may atrophy in the absence of natural challenges and feedback loops.

By prioritizing adaptability and strategic testing, this approach seeks to prepare humanity more effectively, ensuring we are neither over-reliant on technology nor prone to critical failure scenarios. Emphasizing prototyping also provides the flexibility to re-calibrate technological goals over time, reducing the likelihood of misalignment with human and environmental needs.

This choice, then, is not merely about advancing technology but about consciously shaping a future that maintains human agency, resilience, and evolutionary adaptability. As we weigh these options, we must consider both the opportunities and responsibilities inherent in each path, knowing that the choices we make now will profoundly influence not only the future of technology but the nature of humanity itself.