There’s Nothing Dark Or Evil About “Black Technology” [Lost In Translation]

If your technology is described as “black” in China, don’t be offended. Instead, consider it one of the highest compliments you can attain in the tech world. Unlike black magic, it has nothing to do with voodooism or malicious enchantment, but rather a term reserved for only the most mind-boggling, futuristic and out-of-this-world scientific feats.

Think the stuff of sci-fi films: teleportation, humanoid bots, splicing. As for things that are already here – HoloLens, Magic Leap and Tesla’s self-driving cars and cloning of beef cows and pets.

The phrase has roots in the Japanese Anime Full Metal Panic, where “Black Technology” originally referred to scientific accomplishments developed by a species of “whisperers”, stealthily kept from civilians,  and so advanced it’s beyond the bounds of human understanding.

What you get

Full access to all premium content and our full archives

Members'-only newsletters

Preferential access and discounts to all TechNode events

Direct access to the TechNode newsroom