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It's only remotely relevant to the article, but I think your contention that technology can't cause a social revolution is only technically true. That is, while I agree that no magic of technology will ever end poverty and bring peace in 90 days, I submit that on a generational time scale, technology can change entire social structures, and/or cause them to respond to 'third influences' in ways that were otherwise impossible.
Examples: The stirrup and the feudal system. Armor sure helped the rich, but if they could be pushed off their horses, the peasants could mob them....
Guns and no more feudal system.
Calvinism and the printing press. without the printing press, Luther maybe, but no way Calvin.
Railroads, telegraphs and continental republics.
Again, empires yes, but the US, Canada, Australia simply weren't possible without the 'members' being able to get home for vacations and election campaigns. Otherwise you just have appointed governors.
And then there's the whole 'Age of Exploration' thing...
Frank
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