“Study hard so that you can master technology, which allows us to master nature.”
- June 14, 1928 – October 9, 1967
- Born in Argentina
- Revolutionary, doctor, writer, politician
- He led the Cuban Revolution to success and is known as an international symbol of anti-imperialistism.
Quote
“Study hard so that you can master technology, which allows us to master nature.”
Explanation
In this quote, Che Guevara underscores the importance of education and technological mastery in the pursuit of societal progress. Guevara, though primarily known for his revolutionary activities, was also deeply invested in the idea that scientific and technological knowledge were key to advancing socialist ideals. He believed that technology—especially in the fields of industry, medicine, and agriculture—could be harnessed to overcome the limitations of nature and create a more equitable society. By mastering technology, Guevara argued, humanity could break free from the constraints imposed by poverty, inequality, and exploitation, enabling a more just and prosperous world for all.
Guevara’s interest in technology went beyond mere industrial development; he saw it as a means to empower the working class. During his time in Cuba, Guevara was instrumental in promoting scientific research and technological education, believing that the workers themselves should not just be recipients of technological advances, but active participants in creating them. His own background as a medical doctor and his work in revolutionary Cuba’s efforts to expand literacy and improve healthcare reflected his conviction that education was central to liberation. In this sense, he viewed the mastery of technology as a vital tool in the broader revolutionary project of building a socialist society.
In the modern context, this quote remains highly relevant as the world faces rapid advancements in technology and artificial intelligence. Activists and policymakers today might interpret Guevara’s words as a call to ensure that technological progress benefits all people, not just the elite or the powerful. As we confront global challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and public health crises, the mastery of technology can play a critical role in developing sustainable solutions and fostering social change. Guevara’s vision of a society that uses technology to serve the people is a challenge that still rings true: who controls technology and how it is used will shape the future of human society.
