The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Technology and Modernization Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

And Mike took on endless new jobs. In May 2075, besides controlling robot traffic and catapult and giving ballistic advice and/or control for manned ships, Mike controlled phone system for all Luna, same for Luna-Terra voice & video, handled air, water, temperature, humidity, and sewage for Luna City, […]. (1.11)

Technology is a lot like Pringles—once you pop, you just can't stop. Once one job proves more efficient with technology, people just keep finding other jobs for tech to do.

Quote #2

"How much a tonne of your wheat fetches in Bombay? How little it costs the Authority to get it from catapult head to Indian Ocean? Downhill all the way! Just solid-fuel retros to brake it—and where do those come from? Right here! […] Lunar power—not one kilowatt up from Terra. It comes from Lunar ice and Lunar steel, or sunshine spilled on Luna's soil—all put together by loonies!" (2.62)

As we'll see later in the novel, the Loonies' major advantage in the revolution is that they have technology on their side. This quote hints at the importance utilizing technology will play.

Quote #3

"Wyoming, not sure we would lose Luna City if Mike were blown up. Loonies are handy and might jury-rig till automation could be restored. But I tell you true: Many people would die and rest too busy for politics." (4.51)

Of course, technology only does so much. The ability to use and manage technology by people is the other half of the Loonies' success equation—specifically when it comes to our protagonist, Mannie.