John McNeill, in his informative book, Something New Under the Sun, discusses how the twentieth century has brought the world into steady decline. While the world has improved technologically, it has also had a decline that overshadows the improvement we have witnessed. McNeil goes on to demonstrate that it is humans, with our new technology, that are the reason for this fateful decline. The world's population has positively and negatively influenced the world of the 20th century by bringing about "ecological changes" that will change the world forever (4). In his book, McNeill chapter by chapter explains that the people living in the world are positively influencing the world in so many ways. First, the fact that the world's population has nearly quadrupled in the last hundred years demonstrates that the world can be rapidly manipulated and made better (271). With hundreds of millions of people all living in unison, the world is sure to be affected. One invention that helped jump-start the industrial revolution and improve the world is the invention of the Model T automobile. The Model T brought many jobs to the United States in the midst of an economic crisis. First, people were needed to assemble the cars, but also to pave the roads on which the cars could drive. This was all part of FD Roosevelt's New Deal (311). The automobile has not only been beneficial to the lives of millions of people, but has also enabled the use of many new inventions; such as the assembly line and removable parts. The invention of these parts has continued to benefit the world ever since. Companies are able to produce machines more quickly and cost-effectively, thus creating a greater profit for them. With the invention of the vaccine... middle of paper... how they have greatly affected our world today. This book made me realize how many things I take for granted. Never in my life have I had to worry about breathing polluted air or drinking unhealthy water. I've never given much thought to how destructive this once was and still is in some parts of the world. McNeil, through his informative and descriptive book, has permanently changed my view of the twentieth century. It helped me understand the importance of small things and see their impact on the world years later. Although the world as a whole has gotten bigger and bigger with each passing decade, the world has experienced a decline that outweighs the good that has happened in this century. As far as technology goes, the world has used it to our advantage, becoming a bigger and smarter world every day. However, technology is the main reason for the fall of the world.