How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Now it had dawned at last; the gleaming, silent shapes hanging over every land were the symbol of a science man could not hope to match for centuries. (2.39)
The Overlords make their presence known by the introduction, not of themselves, but of their technology. And you thought gaming PCs were high-end tech.
Quote #2
"But why should Karellen bother to use a TV system, anyway? The simplest solution is always best. Doesn't it seem far more probable that your 'vision screen' is really nothing more complicated than a sheet of one-way glass?" (4.31)
The technology of the Overlords reflects their relationship with humanity: It's all about manipulation and deception. Even technology as simple as a mirror reflects this (pun unintended, but we stand by it).
Quote #3
"And you don't mind?"
"Not in the least—though I draw the line at nuclear weapons, poison gas, or anything else that might strain our friendship." (4.74-75)
The Overlords' relationship with humanity isn't just about their science fiction technology—these alien rulers even manipulate people by limiting the use of human technology. Sure, it's not exactly a bad thing that we can't blow each other up, but it's still something we should note as readers of this theme in the novel.
Quote #4
It was not important: all that mattered was that Karellen no longer felt the need for this display of force. He had thrown away his psychological weapons. (5.4)
Those psychological weapons are technological weapons as well, such as the illusion of their spaceships. The Overlords cannot only dominate us physically with their tech, but they can also mess with our minds, man.
Quote #5
Rupert nodded, put down one of his glasses on an invisible table, adjusted an equally invisible control, and promptly vanished from sight.
"Well!" said Jean. "That's the first time I've seen one of those gadgets in action. How did Rupert get hold of it? I thought only the Overlords had them." (7.14-15)
Of course, the Overlords don't keep all the good tech toys for themselves—they share some pretty neat gadgets with humanity. But are these given away out of a sense of unselfishness or are there some strings attached?
Quote #6
There was nowhere on the planet where science and technology could not provide one with a comfortable home, if one wanted it badly enough. (10.6)
Yeah, we know this is science fiction, but the novel draws from a lot of really modern technology. Even with our non-sci-fi tech, tools have been developed to allow us to go pretty much everywhere in our world. Of course, we still have to wait for our Mt. Everest peak-side property.
Quote #7
Probably I'll be sent home on the next ship—but at least I can expect to see something. I've got a four millimeter camera and thousands of meters of film: it won't be my fault if I can't use it. (13.32)
Science fiction is all about future technology, but in many ways, its predictions are based on the technologies of the time. Case in point, there was no way someone writing in the 1950s could have guessed that technology would advance to the point that cameras wouldn't need film in the future. Either that or Jan couldn't afford a decent data plan and has to do things old school.
Quote #8
There were various community-owned service vehicles—trucks, ambulances, and fire engines, all restricted, except in cases of real emergency, to fifty kilometers an hour. As a result the inhabitants of Athens had plenty of exercise, uncongested streets—and no traffic accidents. (15.33)
To counter the Overlords' influence on humanity, the people of Athens have limited what technology they allow in their colony. Yet they still have bicycles, and bikes are still technically technology—they're just not the highest tech.
Quote #9
So this was the exhibit for Earth. They walked for a few meters past a beautiful model of Paris, past art treasures from a dozen centuries grouped incongruously together, past modern calculating machines and Paleolithic axes, past television receivers and Hero of Alexandria's steam turbine. (22.31)
How do the Overlords define other species? By the exhibits in their Earth museum, we'd say they define them by the technology they create. Notice the lack of art in the exhibit. See the next quote for why that's important.
Quote #10
The world was his. Everything he needed—all the material possessions anyone could ever desire—were his for the taking. But he was no longer interested. (24.21)
Jan has finally achieved what many people try their entire lives to get. He has everything, every bit of technology he could ever want. And what does he want more than anything? A piano: technology built to create art.