# Promethean Technology Imagination Prometheus is a Greek mythic figure associated with the gift of fire to humanity. In modern technology discourse, “Promethean” can describe the ambition to put transformative powers into human hands. The allusion can express hope, responsibility, apprehension, or hubris depending on who uses it; none of those readings should be silently imposed on a speaker. Marc Andreessen's [*Techno-Optimist Manifesto*](https://a16z.com/the-techno-optimist-manifesto/) mentions the myth of Prometheus among narratives of technological fear while arguing affirmatively for growth and invention. His use shows how an ancient story can supply terms for today's argument about the value of technology. The node connects [[wiki/Classical Antiquity in Technology Culture|classical references in technology culture]] to [[wiki/Neo-Westernism|neo-Westernism]] and [[wiki/Technological Panic|technological panic]].