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FROM: Jumoke Atobatele
DATE: May 17, 2000 TIME: 17:07:11 REMOTE IP: 163.238.34.222 |
Computer and society |
Computer and Society
Our society is in the midst of a debate. We are trying to determine whether technology can be controlled and directed toward the betterment of humankind or whether it will lead to the restriction of human liberty. This choice has been made most alarming by the modern electronic digital computer. The computer is one of the most revolutionary inventions of this century. Although it has been in use for about thirty years, we still cannot foresee its full impact.
Computers have complex effects on our world. They have become important and powerful tools for collecting, recording, analyzing, and distributing tremendous masses of information. And such power and information can be misused in ways that demand social rather than technical judgment. The computer has further social impact. It saves countless years of tedious work by clerks, administrators, technicians, and scientists. But some interpret this as a loss of human control .
Each technical fact about the computer seems to have advantages and disadvantages. How can we tell which is which? How can we reap the value and control the danger? These are the questions that should concern all of us?
Certain aspects of computer use concern many technologists. As information system grow larger and become more interconnected, our institutions seem to become increasingly dependent on them. We all become vulnerable to the kinds of accidents to which such systems are subject. For example, some major cities have experienced large-scale power failures resulting in blackouts that have continued for hours or days.
This incident didn’t involve a computer, but by anology, people are concerned about single errors in a national network of computers communication with each other by a communications satellite. If human operators became so confident of their system that they abandoned their manual files and teletypes, a failure of the satellite could seriously cripple the system throughout the entire country. Thus the more we rely on computer systems, the more reliable they must become.
The more powerful computer-based systems become and the more information they contain, the more tempting they appear to those who might misuse them.
Dishonest politicians, embezzling clerks, blackmailers, and others who might misuse information systems represent serious threats to the public, threats, that grow with the size and flexibility of such systems.
If it is true that knowledge is power, then the computer by its very nature contributes to the concentration of power. One might then argue this way:
Que: Power that can be put to use will someday be put to misuse.
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For those of you who havent seen it, pick it up. Stanley Kubrick is a master. and i am hoping we all could use some of is wriiten to apply in society
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Re: Computer and society
Posted by Bougataya Mehdi on May 30, 2000 at 11:49:25 at IP 172.147.168.64
I think that people are scared from the effect of science fiction movies. I think that the computer brought an easy life for the humanity, so we shouldn't be scared from developing it. Re: Computer and society
Posted by Bobbie Razo on May 28, 2000 at 23:18:52 at IP 216.192.104.27
I completely agree with that statement. Throughout history, whenever there’s a breakthrough invention that claims to be a benefit for humanity, it never failed to find a user that will misuse it. I also agree that technology has eased the way humans live since its invention but whenever it replaces a man’s job it also takes away something from man. Re: Computer and society
Posted by HOI CHUN YUNG on May 27, 2000 at 1:16:55 at IP 209.255.49.55
Power dependent our people how to use it efficiently. However our people always like to use it be defeative way. More considering, Computer wouldn't take over our role, but be more than a good parnter with people. Re: Computer and society
Posted by Wai Shing Chan on May 25, 2000 at 11:33:21 at IP 152.163.204.53
I don't worry people will lost control on computer power. It is because once human invent a better computer, it means that our knowledge increase, too. Althought computer develop in an incredible speed, but the user of computer also growth in rapid rate. Since more people know how to use it, there is no fear of the power of computerizing. Re: Computer and society
Posted by Jick Gee Chui on May 24, 2000 at 12:31:16 at IP 163.238.34.221
When I was young, I saw some of the space movie. It talked about a lot of computer Technology. It made me to think a lot of stuff, which we can change to computerize. It helps. Computer is made by Human. I still have a confidence that we can make it good, fast and controllable.(By the movie I've seen) :) Re: Computer and society
Posted by Joseph Fardella on May 23, 2000 at 23:30:44 at IP 63.23.128.165
The power of computing must always remain in check. It is so dynamic that precautions must be made to monitor its advances. There is one thing which remains critical, and that is that a user is the problem when it comes to computer misuse. It is not the advancement of technology that must be addressed, but the mischievous user that must be monitored Re: Computer and society
Posted by Kam Tsui on May 23, 2000 at 22:36:54 at IP 4.54.120.229
In my opinion, for knowing which is the correct motive of using computers is that if the consequence of using it would affect the moral value of a person or the society, that action must cease. Re: Computer and society
Posted by mkhanum@hotmail.com on May 22, 2000 at 16:46:54 at IP 163.238.9.13
I don't think humans lose the control because they demand on computers. Humans are needed to run computers. Also, we could get lots of information sitting at home. We could make reservations, listen to music, etc. If we didn't have computers life could have been much slower and there could be so much paper to deal with. The world couldn't have gone as far as it has now. Re: Computer and society
Posted by Dennis Healy on May 22, 2000 at 6:36:13 at IP 152.163.194.203
I have some experience with an institution that has not yet gone completely over to computers. The NYPD. Since getting promoted to Sergeant, I have gone through more pens than I thought I would need in my whole life! Almost everything at that happens at the precinct level is recorded in a logbook.
We use 500, 300, and 150 page books for many different purposes. There is a logbook for everything!
The big one behind the main desk is called the Command Log, and it is so repetitive it makes me crazy.
Every night the same entries are required sometimes three and four pages worth, and the book is about 24 inches high. These logs get filled up every couple of months and put in the basement. They are still down there from the turn of the century. Some of the systems have come online, like Complaints and Accidents and Aided cases, but there is so much more to change over. The city is at least 20 years behind other municipalities. I would love to be more dependent on a computer system! Re: Computer and society
Posted by Han on May 18, 2000 at 14:27:12 at IP 198.83.28.35
This reminded me of the Stanley Kubrick movie 2001, A Space Odyssey, where the HAL9000 computer decided that it is superior to its human masters and decided it does not want to follow their instructions anymore (human error vs. computer perfection). Re: Computer and society
Posted by karl Halliburton on May 17, 2000 at 23:00:39 at IP 152.172.73.83
that was well written
