Overview
- Poses deep questions about the impact that future computing technology may have on humanity
- Considers the possibility that computing technology may merge with the biological world, and the implications of this
- Asks what influence we can have on such developments, and whether we will control the computer, or the computer us
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (8 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
The computing technology on which we are now so dependent has risen to its position of ascendency so rapidly that few of us have had the opportunity to take a step back and wonder where we are headed. This book urges us to do so.
Taking a big-picture perspective on digital technology, Living with Computers leads the reader on a whistle-stop tour of the history of information and information technology. This journey culminates in a deep exploration into the meaning and role of computers in our lives, and what this experience might possibly mean for the future of human society – and the very existence of humanity itself.
In the face of the transformative power of computing, this book provokes us to ask big questions. If computers become integrated into our bodies, merging with the information processing of our very DNA, will computing help to shape the evolution of biological life? If artificial intelligence advances beyond the abilities of the human brain, will this overturn our anthropocentrism and lead to a new view of reality? Will we control the computers of the future, or will they control us?These questions can be discomforting, yet they cannot be ignored. This book argues that it is time to reshape our definition of our species in the context of our interaction with computing. For although such science-fiction scenarios are not likely to happen any time soon – and may, in fact, never happen – it is nevertheless vital to consider these issues now if we wish to have any influence over whatever is to come. So, humans, let’s confront our possible destiny!
James W. Cortada is a Senior Research Fellow at the Charles Babbage Institute at the University of Minnesota. He holds a Ph.D. in modern history and worked at IBM in various positions for 38 years, including in IBM’s management research institute, The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV). He is the author of over a dozen books on management, andnearly two dozen books on the history of information technology. These include the Springer title From Urban Legends to Political Fact-Checking: Online Scrutiny in America, 1990-2015 (with William Aspray).
Reviews
“Living with Computers covers a lot of ground in just over 100 pages. … I did find the book engaging. For those looking for a short overview of some of the main issues on the future of computing and AI this book would be of interest.” (Adam John Andreotta, Metascience, January 21, 2021)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Living with Computers
Book Subtitle: The Digital World of Today and Tomorrow
Authors: James W. Cortada
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34362-0
Publisher: Copernicus Cham
eBook Packages: Computer Science, Computer Science (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-34361-3Published: 12 March 2020
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-34362-0Published: 11 March 2020
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XVIII, 115
Number of Illustrations: 2 b/w illustrations