How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge? (2 of 3)
This is part of the “Objectified Thoughts” series in which I explore philosophy through certain objects I find interesting.
The iPad came into my life quite unexpectedly, a generous hand-me-down from a friend who’d just upgraded to the latest model. “It’s seen some things,” they said with a smile, “but it’s still got life in it.”
It was older, yes, but it held a certain magic. The way the screen responded to the slightest touch, the way apps opened with a tap and closed with a swipe — it felt like holding a bit of the future, even if it was a past version of it.
As a student, this iPad became my portable hub of knowledge. I’d flip through lecture notes on Google Classrooms, pausing to dive deeper into a topic via a TED talk or a Khan Academy lesson. It was as if the whole educational world had been compacted into this slim rectangle of glass and aluminum.
But it wasn’t just for consuming knowledge. When I opened Hugging Face, it was like stepping into a lab, exploring data and patterns that I wouldn’t have access to otherwise. MATLAB turned my living room into an engineer’s playground, with 3D models spinning under my fingertips.
The artist in me found a new home too. I’d sketch in Procreate with the Apple Pencil, each stroke perfectly captured, every shade as vibrant as paint on canvas. It was here, on this very iPad, that I animated my first short film — a simple tale, but it was mine, and it was a revelation.
And then there was music. I’d never considered myself much of a musician, but with GarageBand, I was suddenly experimenting with melodies and rhythms. I’d layer track upon track, a one-person band orchestrated by taps and drags.
Every tap, swipe, and pinch on this iPad was a step in my learning journey. It took me from passive observer to active participant, from consumer to creator. It’s not just a piece of technology; it’s a tool that’s shaped who I am and what I know. And to think, it all began with a friend’s simple act of passing it on.