# Technique And The Theory

> Technique is the totality of methods, rationally arrived at and
> having absolute efficiency (for a given stage of development) in
> every field of human activity.
>
> Jacques Ellul, "The Technological Society"


Technique != Technology


In Japanese, there is a phrase "Theory doori". It means "Following
the theory", "Acording to the theory", or "In line with the theory".

The most similar phrase in English I can think of is "By the book".
But those have very different nuances. People use "Theory" as
something like a game guide. In fact, people actually use a phrase
like "What's the theory of this game?". It extremely focuses on
efficiency.

Most people just follow the theory. They even "live according to
the theory". Of course, a life in line with the theory is heavily
dominated by rationality, efficiency and experts. It doesn't have
freedom and personal touches.


I realized that "Theory" in Japanese is exactly "Technique" by
Jacques Ellul. It is a totalitarian force which dominates all over
the earth right now. A city is a physical manifestation of it.
People live according to the theory in a city. Outside of cities,
there are only urbanizations and "nature according to the theory".
There is almost no true wilderness left.

Rationality and science mean exclusively the theory. "Scientific"
just means "In line with the theory" now.


> Technique enslaves people, while proffering them the mere illusion
> of freedom, all the while tyrannically conforming them to the
> demands of the technological society with its complex of artificial
> operational objectives.
>
> Jacques Ellul, "The Technological Society"



So, do not live according to the theory. All I want to say is that.
And let's start to end this technical age. For our freedom.