We go through our lives riding a spinning carousel of technology - some of it obvious and some not. Some of the ride we spin ourselves, and some of this ride is spun for us. Does anyone get to choose anymore - how fast, how far, how furious - this horseabout goes? Is there even a direction here - a purpose to this Carousel - or is it all for fun and profit? The Human Era might well be in the rear view mirror - but that doesn't mean we should take our eyes off the road ahead. The road ahead is the only hope we have - and there is plenty to be hopeful for - if only we can better understand what exactly is in our rear view mirror and why it's there.