Printing Press Analogies

Commenters frequently compare the societal and informational impacts of a modern technology or phenomenon to the historical invention of the printing press, highlighting its role in mass reproduction, idea dissemination, and overcoming restrictions like bans.

📉 Falling 0.4x Politics & Society
2,170
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#4021
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
1
2008
6
2009
24
2010
32
2011
44
2012
66
2013
52
2014
51
2015
54
2016
80
2017
122
2018
123
2019
181
2020
150
2021
237
2022
275
2023
245
2024
211
2025
198
2026
18

Keywords

e.g OP froginawell.net DTP USPO printing press printing press books existed centuries entertainment presses papers fathers

Sample Comments

acjohnson55 Apr 1, 2021 View on HN

Don't forget the printing press!

bonoboTP Oct 11, 2020 View on HN

Handwritten codexes have existed for long, why is the printing press such a big deal?

GHFigs Nov 26, 2010 View on HN

The means of mass reproduction (e.g. the printing press) have not existed for nearly so long as you seem to think.

Cyph0n Feb 28, 2021 View on HN

The printing press ban probably had a huge impact. It was much easier to spread ideas if you didn’t have to transcribe them by hand.

peteretep Sep 1, 2017 View on HN

The difference between it and the printing press

pouetpouet Oct 8, 2015 View on HN

Who needs the printing press when you have cheap copists?

buboard Jan 27, 2019 View on HN

this kind of dystopia existed in the printing press for centuries.

floxy Jun 3, 2025 View on HN

I'd put it closer to the invention of the printing press.

Ozzie_osman Oct 7, 2024 View on HN

People said similar stuff about the printing press.

suslik Jun 1, 2023 View on HN

Pretty sure a similar sentiment was present when printing press came about. "Just think about all the poor souls exposed to all these heresies".