burt (09/20/82)
Herewith are the results of the poll on the impact of computers on society.
In case you have forgotten, the question was:
Which of the following is of greater concern to you:
a) assessing and reducing undesirable effects of expanding
computer technology on society, or
b) teaching the general population how to take advantage of
expanding computer technology?
Due to several problems in both our system and decvax, many replies
may be have been lost in transit. If you have an urgent desire to
make your opinion known, feel free to mail it to me again.
The issues of concern expressed by the respondents were:
a) 5
b) 28
Abstained 1
--
Total 34
In addition, at least 4 people expressed the opinion that teaching
the population was the best way to minimize the harmful effects of
technology.
Don Norman advocates that we "teach designers of technology to
appreciate and understand the humans who must make use of the
technology, so their design will complement human skills and make
the human-machine interface productive and useful (and
non-threatening, either to individuals or to society)."
References supporting a):
R.M. Baer, "The Digital Villan" (no publication data).
Don Norman, in Reader's Digest "about a year ago", and
in the last chapter of his new book "Learning and Memory"
(Freeman) that was due out in August.
Sherry Turkle at MIT.
Dr. Juergen Hoegl, Dept. of Intergovernmental Cooperation,
Springfield, Ill.
References supporting b):
Arthur C. Clarke, "Profiles of the Future" and
"Report on Planet Three and Other Speculations"
A week-long meeting, "Computer Culture: Science and technology
in the age of information", is scheduled at the NY Academy of Sciences
for April 25 - 29, 1983. Try writing Henry Pagels at the Academy
(2 E. 63rd St., NY, NY 10021) for further information.
The television program that prompted this survey is still in planning.
It will be broadcast by TV Ontario as part of their "Realities" program
on public affairs (8:30PM Wed. and Thurs. night).
Editorial content: Personally, I heartily favour (a). I think
we must take a long, hard look at the harmful effects of computers,
or any new technology, before we start telling the lay public how
wonderful it is.
Burton Patkau
utcsrgv!burt