"A modern fleet of ships does not so much make use of the sea as exploit a highway"

This quote by Joseph Conrad speaks to the way in which modern ships have actually changed the way we engage with the sea. Instead of counting on the sea for transport, modern-day ships are able to make use of the sea as a highway, enabling them to travel quickly and efficiently. This quote talks to the power of modern-day technology and how it has enabled us to take advantage of the sea in manner ins which were not possible before. It likewise speaks with the way in which the sea has actually become a resource to be exploited, rather than a source of sustenance and exploration. The quote highlights the power of modern innovation and how it has actually altered the method we communicate with the sea.