The Concept of Progress in The Artificers: Innovation or Social Control?

When I wrote The Artificers, I asked myself the following question: What is progress, really? Is it an engine that drives innovation to improve the lives of everyone, or is it a tool that serves to perpetuate control by a select few? I tried to capture this tension, in the story of the Astrege, Mayerlain and Rolles families, exploring how technological and economic advances can be both a blessing and a burden to humanity.

Historical Context of Progress in The Artificers

The novel starts in the 18th century, at a time when the world was changing rapidly. The Astrege family risks everything to finance the patriots in the American Revolutionary War. With that move, they not only secure their future, but lay the foundation for a power network that will be influential for generations to come.

Their legacy evolves over time. Through The Artificers (as an organization), their descendants not only witness technological advances, but actively drive them forward. Innovations such as the telephone and the airplane, and their influence on the Federal Reserve, show how these families shape the world in their image.

Power and Innovation: The Birth of The Artificers

When the Astrege, Mayerlain and Rolles families join forces, progress and advancement become their hallmark. But their vision goes beyond the merely technical: they seek to consolidate their dominance. This quest for power is not without its contradictions. While their achievements transform the world, they also expose how innovation can be used to perpetuate inequality.

As I was writing this part, I kept thinking about the nature of progress. In many cases, it is not innovation itself that matters, but who controls it. This reflection feels more topical than ever in a world where technology shapes our lives.

The Dark Side of Progress

In The Artificers, progress is not always what it seems. The same innovations that transform society can also be used to manipulate and control it. Through the actions of the characters, I wanted to show how technological advances can become tools of power, rather than a common good.

The control exercised by members of The Artificers raises a delicate question: how far can the elite go to maintain their influence? Even though this is a fictional story, it reflects ongoing struggles that we experience today.

Progress as Innovation: Achievements that Transform the World

There is no denying that The Artificers, as an organization, achieve remarkable feats. In the novel, they transform entire industries and are responsible for history-changing breakthroughs. However, behind each innovation is an implicit question: who actually benefits from this progress?

In exploring this dynamic, I wanted to highlight that innovation is neither inherently good nor bad. What makes the difference is how it is used and to what ends. This ambiguity is one of the underlying themes of the novel.

Progress as Social Control: The Price We Pay

The progress driven by some members of The Artificers comes at a cost. In the novel, it becomes clear that their dominance over technology and the economy not only gives them power, but also near absolute control. Their vision of progress benefits a few while leaving others trapped in a system they did not choose.

This is an important theme for me because it reflects predicaments we continue to face today. When access to progress is restricted to a few hands, the risk of inequality increases. In The Artificers, I wanted to give voice to this concern, showing both the light and the dark side of progress.

The Philosophy of Progress: Nietzsche as an Inspiration

The philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche plays a key role in The Artificers. His ideas about the ‘will to power’ helped me construct the ethical dilemmas faced by a number of characters. For some of them, progress is not just a goal; it is a way to reassert their control over the world.

This philosophical influence gives depth to the narrative, but it also throws up a warning: when progress becomes an excuse for dominance, who stands to benefit?

Final Reflection

With The Artificers, my intention is to encourage us to reflect on progress and its implications. Beyond technological advances, I believe that we must ask ourselves how these are used and what impact they have on our society.

Progress should not be a privilege reserved for the few. It should be a force that propels us all forward, leaving no one behind. I hope that, as you read the novel, this idea will resonate with you and inspire you to question the world we are all building together.