Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to shed some information on the technical and social impacts of personal computing,in general5and on the design of information systems specifically. We shall attempt to do so by viewing computers as machines for the augmentation of intellection and by comparing them with machines invented for the augmentation of human physical energy. The specific comparison is that between personal computing and personal transportation. We shall keep in mind that one can carry an analogy too far, or as a German proverb says: “Every comparison has a limp.” (German: Jeder Vergleich hinkt.)
The views expressed in this paper are the author’s and do not necessarily represent those of the U. S. Department of Defense.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Adams, J. M., and Haden, H. (1976). Social Effects of Computer Use and Misuse; John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Bock, P. (1978). Microprocessor Software Introductory Thoughts. Tools for Improved Computing in the 1980’s. Proc. 17th Annual Tech. Conf., Washington, D.C. Chapter of the ACM, p. 87.
Holt, B. (1978). Bicycle owners assert rights militantly. The Washington Star, Vol. 126, No. 137, May 17, Washington, D.C.
Isaak, J. (1978). Standards for Intelligent TV, SIGPC Notes. Vol. 1, No. 1.
ISO Standard Vocabulary of Data Processing as incorporated into American National Dictionary for Information Processing; X3 Technical Report X3/TR-1-77: Washington: Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association, 1977.
Kahn, D. (1967). The Codebreakers; MacMillan Press, New York.
Lewis, T.G. (1978). Some laws of personal computing, SIGPC Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 16–25.
Mazlish, B .; The Fourth Discontinuity, Technology & Culture, January 1967. (Reprinted in Adam and Haden, 1976 ).
An Uncrackable Code?; Time, Vol. 112, No. 1. (1978 July 3), pp. 55–56.
Warren, S. and Brandeis, D. (1890). 4 Harvard Law Review, p. 193.
Winterbotham, F. W. (1974). The Ultra Secret; Harper-Row Press, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1983 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, The Hague, Boston, London
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Thiess, H. (1983). Possible Technical and Social Impacts of Personal Computing. In: Debons, A., Larson, A.G. (eds) Information Science in Action: System Design. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3479-5_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3479-5_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8057-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3479-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive