Reflections from the Library of Congress: Lessons on Change, Innovation, and Planning for Tomorrow
My wife Susan and I recently had the opportunity to visit the Library of Congress during our stay in Washington, DC. It was our first time stepping inside this remarkable institution, and the experience left a lasting impression.
The Main Reading Room in the Thomas Jefferson Building is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As you step inside and look up, you’re greeted by a magnificent, coffered dome soaring nearly 160 feet overhead, crowned by a lantern at its apex. At the center is Edwin Howland Blashfield’s mural Human Understanding, featuring a radiant female figure lifting the veil of ignorance while gazing toward progress. She is flanked by cherubs—one holding the book of wisdom and the other symbolizing perseverance. Encircling the lantern are twelve winged figures representing the “Evolution of Civilization,” each honoring a great culture’s contribution to human knowledge. Massive marble columns and arches, bathed in natural light, complete an atmosphere of grandeur befitting the world’s largest library.
One of the most striking displays we saw was a Gutenberg Bible printed on vellum around 1455. Before Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press, it took a scribe roughly three years to hand-copy a single Bible. The printing process reduced that to about two years—and sparked a revolution. Within 50 years, hundreds of presses appeared across Europe, dramatically accelerating the spread of knowledge. Historians credit this technological leap with helping fuel the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution. One invention fundamentally changed how information was shared and how society evolved.
Standing in that historic space, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to our own time. As we witness the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, I wonder: Did Gutenberg fully grasp the long-term impact his work would have on the fabric of daily life? Today, conversations about AI often swing between tremendous opportunity and understandable concern—particularly around job displacement and societal change. Yet history shows that transformative technologies ultimately expand human potential, even as they reshape how we live and work.
The pace of change today feels even faster than in Gutenberg’s era. Consider my parents, who turn 93 this year. The stories from their youth sound like a different world compared to what my six-month-old grandchild will experience. My mother, who lived 74 years without smartphones, now confidently uses her iPhone for calls, texts, and email. The first iPhone launched in 2007—imagine what the next 20 or even 74 years might bring.
One constant in life is change. Another is the need for a thoughtful plan that can adapt as circumstances evolve.
In my work as a financial advisor, I see this truth play out every day with clients. Whether it’s retirement projections, portfolio adjustments, tax strategies, Roth conversions, or estate planning, the goal is to build a resilient plan—one that accounts for today’s realities while remaining flexible for tomorrow’s possibilities. AI and other innovations will likely make many aspects of life more efficient and abundant, but navigating the transition wisely requires proactive guidance.
What does your ideal “regular Tuesday in retirement” look like? If you’re not yet able to picture it clearly—or if you’d like help stress-testing your current plan against the changes ahead we should talk. I specialize in helping families create personalized, forward-looking financial strategies that bring clarity and confidence.
Reach out today to schedule a conversation. The future is brighter when you’re prepared for it.
Schedule an introductory phone call with John at this link: John Simkins– Introductory Phone Call
Like this article? Check out our Personal Finance Archives where we’ve compiled helpful articles to help you plan for life’s transitions.
