The Social Impact of the Computer J.A.N. Lee Virginia Tech 2000/11/17

A HISTORICAL APPROACH When did computers begin to have an effect on people? How have we been affected? What HAVE we done? Have we become too dependent on computers? What can we do about it? 2000/11/17

When did computers begin to have an effect on people? The early machines - one-off, isolated 1950: UNIVAC - the first multi-frame machine 1955: IBM 650 - the first University machine 1960: IBM 1620 - the first College machine The period of the “priest-hood” of programmers 2000/11/17

Early Programming 2000/11/17

When did computers begin to have an effect on people? 1965-1975: Time sharing 1964: The first e-mail “Personal computing” Immediate feedback Programming by trial and error 1965 - The introduction of the mini-computer The beginning of the period of computing as a “public utility” - for the privileged few 2000/11/17

When did computers begin to have an effect on people? 1970s - The microcomputer for enthusiasts 1975 - Computers in the office 1980 - The IBM PC 1984 - The Macintosh The period of the “HOME” computer And since then … The INTERNET For the Millions 2000/11/17

When did computers begin to have an effect on people? 1940 - first computation over telephone lines 1960s - the MODEM and Timesharing 1970s - networking 1980s - ARPANet, NSFNet, BITNET, … News groups, LISTSERVs, 1990s - The INTERNET - WWW The period of ubiquitous computing 2000/11/17

Ringing the Changes Computer as a Number Computer Cruncher as a Tool as a Search Engine Computer as a Utility Computer as a general purpose system Computer as a Communicator 2000/11/17

How have we been affected? The early days: “computerists” became addicted but proud and dedicated to the public - the concept of the GIANT BRAIN to the insiders - the dumb, recalcitrant, moronic computer 2000/11/17

How have we been affected? 1950s - the emergence of the HACKER 1960s - the identification of the user The computer replaces the slide rule The job of the “future” The era of job swapping 1970s - the connected user 1980s - the personal computer 1990s - the on-line millions 2000/11/17

How have we been affected? Users have moved from being an elite “professionally responsible” to a community with widely varying attitudes Very high level applications allow anyone to develop a program Including the untrained, the untrainable, and the don’t-wannabe-trained 2000/11/17

The stages of impact Direct replacement of an activity with little change in productivity Enhancement of activities by improvements in speed and efficiency Extending activities to those that could not be done previously 2000/11/17

What HAVE we done? Created a “DIGITAL DIVIDE” The have’s and the have’nots Between schools, between school districts Between the old and the young Between parents and children Between male and female Between rich and poor Between town and country 2000/11/17

What HAVE we done? Look at almost any job description! Qualifications for a secretary: (1) ...Working knowledge of standard office practices, equipment and word- processing software; …. Preferences given for experience with spreadsheets and graphics software, Microsoft Word, Word Equation and Excel; ... experience editing and proofreading complex documents. (2) Preferences given for experience working on a Mac OS, experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Banner, experience maintaining a database. 2000/11/17

1970 IBM Advertisement 2000/11/17

Yesterday, Marion was a billing clerk Today, she’s a whole department. Friden Advertisement 1965 2000/11/17

We have changed people’s lives What HAVE we done? WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR: Must be computer literate to include word processing, spreadsheets, web-based research, and email. Must have a valid vehicle operator's permit and a good driving record. We have changed people’s lives For good or bad? 2000/11/17

Informality vs the Archive The e-mail seemed so innocent. "Betty, hi," he remembers cheerfully typing to his colleague. "I haven't been successful reaching you by phone, so I'll try e-mail instead." And so Bill Lampton--then an employee of a large hospital--dashed off the rest of his note on some trivial office matter and hit the send button. Betty never got past the greeting. "I have no idea what you mean about my not returning phone calls," Lampton recalls Betty firing back. "To have you accuse me of ignoring your calls is unthinkable and inexcusable. . . . As to the purpose of the e-mail that you sent me, I prefer not to respond, as I dislike dealing with anyone who assumes the worst of me." 2000/11/17

Have we become too dependent on computers? Steel? Cars? Oil? Electricity? Telephones? Plastic? Television? Housing? Airplanes? Clothing? Prosthetics? Society? 2000/11/17

What have we done to Society? Collapsed time? Collapsed space? Broken down natural barriers? Intermixed incompatible attitudes? Invaded privacy? Made it vulnerable? Created an information overload? 2000/11/17

2000/11/17

What have we done to Society? For What have we done to Society? Provided a new industry with expanding employment needs New life for old industries Improved communications Created tools that would otherwise be impossible Saved time Changed the “Atomic Age” into the “Information Age” 2000/11/17

What are the dangers? Using computers where simpler solutions exist Using software in critical situations Safety critical applications Mission critical systems BUT AREN’T THESE OFFSET BY ADVANTAGES? 2000/11/17

What are the advantages? Using software in critical situations Safety critical applications Mission critical systems More easily upgradeable, replaceable Millions of new uses, new capabilities 2000/11/17

What can we do about it? Should we become Luddites? (See http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Luddite) 2000/11/17

Should we have killed the railroad engine? 2000/11/17

Should we NOT continue to develop the computer? We cannot go backward We have not had a MAJOR breakthrough since 1970 - the integrated circuit What is the next big step going to be and where? What will be the effect? 2000/11/17

Progress, Development, Evolution Whatever we do We will not stop progress We will not stop people using our products in ways that we do appreciate And we WILL find new uses and applications that will be advantageous 2000/11/17

Stopping Progress An Example 2000/11/17

Martin Luther King: “Our technology is outstripping our spirituality” One last thought Martin Luther King: “Our technology is outstripping our spirituality” 2000/11/17