1. Facilitator: Michael Werner wernermm@gmail.com
Computing and Us
Course web site
Facilitator: Michael Werner

2. Catalog Description
Few question that the advent of computing has profoundly changed our lives. This course examines a number of current issues regarding the role of computing in society. We begin with some background on the origins of computing and the Internet. We then talk about ways in which computing has created potential for ordinary people to not only access information, but also tell their own stories. It’s not all good. We may be overwhelmed by a deluge of questionable reports obtained via social media and unmoderated forums. Also, what happened to our privacy? They are watching us.
We examine the Internet of things, in particular driverless cars. We look at hacking and cyber warfare. Finally, we sample the conversation about artificial intelligence and the possibility that machines we control may in fact end up controlling us.
You do not need any computer expertise. In class we will spend some time giving background information and framing the issues. We will watch YouTube and TedX talks. And we will have plenty of discussion. There will be an accompanying web site with links to articles and videos.

3. Schedule Early computers Personal computers and the Internet
Modeling the World
Knowledge for all
The Internet of things
Kiss privacy goodbye
Mavericks and Hacking
Artificial Intelligence and Futurism

4. Gutenberg Changed the World
1450 Gutenberg’s printing press with using movable type was in operation
1455 Gutenberg Bible
The Epistle of St. Jerome from the University of Texas copy.

5. Computer Revolution – Early Days
1650 Blaise Pascal’s Pascaline
1694 Leibniz's Stepped Reckoner
Charles Babbage Analytical Engine
1930s early theoretical work
1940 – 55 Early mechanical/electrical computers
1955 – 65
First programming languages
Transistors replace vacuum tubes
Commercial and military applications
Artificial Intelligence
1975 – 85 First personal computers
1981 IBM PC
1984 Apple Macintosh
1991 World Wide Web
1993 First browser – Mosaic

6. Computer Revolution - Recently
1994 First search engine – Altavista
1997 Google
2001 Wikipedia
2001 Human genome sequenced using computer matching
2003 MySpace
2004 Facebook – Harvard
2005 YouTube
2006 Facebook – General public
2007 Apple iPhone
2008 Android phone
2015? Self-Driving cars

7. Walter Isaacson, "The Innovators"
Book TV: Walter Isaacson, "The Innovators“ (10 mins /\)
The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
by Walter Isaacson

8. Lingering Questions Are there limits to what humans can know?
Are there limits to computer knowledge?
Are computers intelligent? Creative? Conscious?
How to make reliable systems from unreliable parts?
Societal impact of computers?
Object-Oriented software design – Is the modeling paradigm more powerful than the algorithmic one?
How have computers facilitated education? Access to knowledge?
Collective intelligence and the World Wide Web?
Have personal computers and the Internet shifted power to the people?