COMPUTERS AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

- David Gelernter

GROUP MEMBERS Anjee (leader) Sameer (editor) Supriya Avisek Rohit Seema

TABLE OF CONTENTS About the author About the essay Introduction Computers and the internet not a revolutionary

development Computers : good or bad Inventing technology An opposing view Conclusion Glossary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Was born in 1955.

A professor of computer science

at Yale University.

Has written many books and articles.

Was also painter, composer, writer,

computer scientist and teacher.

ABOUT THE ESSAY

Excerpted from his essay “computers and the pursuit of happiness”.

Deals with the influence of computers and the internet.

Appeared in the journal Commentary in 2001.

Also includes a letter to the editor.

INTRODUCTION

Continuously notified that we are living in an “information age”.

Two centuries ago, old agriculture age was replaced.

A way to the gaseous age of information.

Many questions raised.

COMPUTERS AND INTERNET NOT A REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT

In the old industrial age coal, steel and concrete mattered.

In new age, both information and coal, steel and concrete counts.

Information revolution does not affect our needs.

Information age in easy nine characters (uhaul.com).

Internet and virtual things will never change our need for physical stuff.

New information age make three arguments Sophisticated machines to create, store and deliver

information. Computer networks can overcome geography. Machines can act intelligently.

Computation today makes everything look different.

Are we in information age?

Defeat of geography.

Internet is the latest in a long time.

Electric-power industry turned society inside out.

Is internet the greatest and most significant achievement?

It’s new age of hype not information.

Computer revolution is still frozen, latent, waiting to happen.

Are we better informed than we used to be ?

COMPUTERS: GOOD OR BAD

Computers information is good.

Over-threshold in wealth and information. [example about his own two kids]

Technology; the tool for building social structures.

Human ingenuity dreams up a new technology.

Old and new plumbing structures excelled in different ways.

Compared web with plumbing.

Technology do not affect net change.

A major new technology remakes society.

Human ingredient and machine ingredient are incomparable.

Inventiveness, productivity and potential wealth are all unlimited.

INVENTING TECHNOLOGY

Preventing to invent and to develop would be a tragedy.

Inventing technology is the intellectual equivalent of breathing.

Mirror worlds, published in 1991.Was a celebration of computer technology.

Industrial age ushered in new categories and possibilities.

Online school could be world-spanning.

And also helpful for mankind.

In 50 years, machines will be smarter than we are.

But still our uniqueness lies beyond technologies.

Grateful to computer technology.

CONCLUSION Both new and old information are important.

Preventing to invent would be a tragedy.

Human and machine are incomparable.

Internet and technology cannot be everything.

New technology can make huge difference.

AN OPPOSING VIEW

Goods are acquired efficiently.

Today, the internet is challenging China’s ability.

Internet facilitates direct voting.

Brings comprehensive education.

Extends a universe of educational experience.

The impact is unpredictable.

CONCLUSION Computers are good.

We are in information age.

Internet has made life easier.

GLOSSARY

cyber-billionaire

gourmet

phonographs

thermostat

triumph

stride

threshold

computational

ingenuity

ubiquitous

sanctity

bureaucratic

swagger

epitomize

pivotal

faucets

proximity

hype

ANY QUESTIONS ?

THANK YOU