Today we are almost 100% dependent on computers. Everything, our work, home, Energy supply, logistics, etc, it's all dependant on computers. Is that a good thing or is it a dangerous thing? Think about it. Every company in the world is becoming dependent on internet. Nothing works without computers. What happens when computers fail? Even kids start using them at age 3 or 4, and let's face it, they are spending less time outdoors than we used to. What do you guys think?
Poll
Is it a good thing to be so dependent on computers?
| Yes, they make things a lot easier | 38% | 38% - 19 | ||||
| It depends on the field | 38% | 38% - 19 | ||||
| No, it's very dangerous | 24% | 24% - 12 | ||||
| Total: 50 | ||||||
the more we use them, the simpler and more efficient they will become. so while it might not be great now (since people don't know how to do things manually) eventually they will become the almighty tool they are supposed to be.
Aslong as you know you can personally survive if they were taken away sure its ok.
depends on the field. Certainly, there are areas where we depend too much on proper working computers, but those were invented for a reason, and usually perform tasks that humans could not do, either because of speed or precision.
In other words, there was a need for this technology, that's why it was invented. And we cannot simply un-invent it now.
We could, however, certainly decide to lower the level of computerization in our daily lifes. A lot of cars, for example, have a lot more computers in them than would be necessary. I mean, who needs a rain sensor ?
In other words, there was a need for this technology, that's why it was invented. And we cannot simply un-invent it now.
We could, however, certainly decide to lower the level of computerization in our daily lifes. A lot of cars, for example, have a lot more computers in them than would be necessary. I mean, who needs a rain sensor ?
The computer is just another tool. We depend on tools to do everything in our daily lives. I can't think of anything short of running around aimlessly that I could do that wouldn't require tools on some level.
Last edited by mikkel (2007-12-14 06:03:58)
It's only dangerous if we begin to stop teaching the fundamentals that computers allow us to bypass. For example, many countries are no longer teaching celestial navigation because of GPS...very dangerous IMHBCO.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
As long as the WOPR can be rebooted we'll be okay
The thing is computers are vulnerable and you can fire a missile from your home if the security system fails.Pug wrote:
As long as the WOPR can be rebooted we'll be okay
You can't hack an airgap. Systems like that are closed (ie, not connected to the internet).sergeriver wrote:
The thing is computers are vulnerable and you can fire a missile from your home if the security system fails.Pug wrote:
As long as the WOPR can be rebooted we'll be okay
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
Impossible is nothing.FEOS wrote:
You can't hack an airgap. Systems like that are closed (ie, not connected to the internet).sergeriver wrote:
The thing is computers are vulnerable and you can fire a missile from your home if the security system fails.Pug wrote:
As long as the WOPR can be rebooted we'll be okay
What I'm saying is that you can't just sit at your PC and hack those types of systems. Someone on the inside has to physically connect them in some way to the rest of the world. That's a much different prospect.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
bad. especially when your entire military relies on them.
Depends on the situation. Like FEOS, I believe they become dangerous or counterproductive when they cause us to bypass the fundamentals. I’m concerned they may result in too many students not using their noodle. I’m good at math whether I have a calculator or not because I was forced to engrain the knowledge before using a more efficient tool.
Beyond that, when we’re talking about national security, power grids, etc we’re in a computer age and they are the most efficient way to run things. Even before computers our basic necessities were vulnerable in certain ways; the computer age simply brings different weaknesses with it. I’m to busy to worry about it tbh.
Did you just watch Live Free or Die Hard by chance, Serge?
Beyond that, when we’re talking about national security, power grids, etc we’re in a computer age and they are the most efficient way to run things. Even before computers our basic necessities were vulnerable in certain ways; the computer age simply brings different weaknesses with it. I’m to busy to worry about it tbh.
Did you just watch Live Free or Die Hard by chance, Serge?
I had a prof in EE that wouldn't let us use calculators, notes, or anything on his tests. Four questions, no partial credit. It was readily apparent who in the class had learned the math and formulas involved and who was leaning on a calculator as a crutch.
Of course, the guy did survive Auschwitz, so his take on partial credit is understandable...
Of course, the guy did survive Auschwitz, so his take on partial credit is understandable...
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
Engines are absolutely necessary for transportation today, and I really doubt that many people would know how to saddle and leash a beast of burden to pull anything. That doesn't mean that motorised transportation is dangerous.
We've always been in the habit of leaving ourselves at the mercy of technology.
We've always been in the habit of leaving ourselves at the mercy of technology.
Last edited by mikkel (2007-12-14 09:49:56)
I didn't make the poll thinking of the movie.Stingray24 wrote:
Depends on the situation. Like FEOS, I believe they become dangerous or counterproductive when they cause us to bypass the fundamentals. I’m concerned they may result in too many students not using their noodle. I’m good at math whether I have a calculator or not because I was forced to engrain the knowledge before using a more efficient tool.
Beyond that, when we’re talking about national security, power grids, etc we’re in a computer age and they are the most efficient way to run things. Even before computers our basic necessities were vulnerable in certain ways; the computer age simply brings different weaknesses with it. I’m to busy to worry about it tbh.
Did you just watch Live Free or Die Hard by chance, Serge?
They eliminate human error.
They also require electricity.
My teacher told me to present balanced answers.
They also require electricity.
My teacher told me to present balanced answers.
Last edited by jord (2007-12-14 10:18:55)
Dependence on computers as a technology is probably 99% ok by me.
As a secure reliance against sabotage or otherwise malicious test of reliance upon them, I'm probably 50% ok with.
As soon as China gets pissed enough with us and sets us up the bomb...the EMP bomb that comes in over the northwest and shuts down our infrastructure and sends us back to the 50's... yeah, that'll suck because WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADAPT TO THAT.
As a secure reliance against sabotage or otherwise malicious test of reliance upon them, I'm probably 50% ok with.
As soon as China gets pissed enough with us and sets us up the bomb...the EMP bomb that comes in over the northwest and shuts down our infrastructure and sends us back to the 50's... yeah, that'll suck because WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADAPT TO THAT.
I'm make my living on them, so thats great.
But as we augment our lives with machines we the animals become weaker.
But as we augment our lives with machines we the animals become weaker.
Redundant Backups. Computers can fail, but there is always a large supply of them.sergeriver wrote:
Today we are almost 100% dependent on computers. Everything, our work, home, Energy supply, logistics, etc, it's all dependant on computers. Is that a good thing or is it a dangerous thing? Think about it. Every company in the world is becoming dependent on internet. Nothing works without computers. What happens when computers fail? Even kids start using them at age 3 or 4, and let's face it, they are spending less time outdoors than we used to. What do you guys think?
Computers allow us to do things that would otherwise be impossible (or at least, infeasible). How can that be a bad thing?
Besides, what about all the other things that modern society runs on? What happens if those fail? That is basically a non-issue.
I love how airplanes are all computers now. God damn mess sometimes.
lol @ Stealth Aircraftusmarine2005 wrote:
I love how airplanes are all computers now. God damn mess sometimes.
They can't even fly in a straight line for 2 seconds without a computer. No, they can't even fly without a computer, full stop. I wouldn't be comfortable in that type of aircraft... although they do make the systems really robust in those cases.
Anyweay as long as we have the power to pull the plug, they'll never take over. I suppose if you have a supercomputer extreme AI, some guns and its own power source, all of which it had control over. Well, you deserve to die when it goes insane.
Same with Automobiles.usmarine2005 wrote:
I love how airplanes are all computers now. God damn mess sometimes.
Ya but autos have the option of pulling off to the side of the road.S3v3N wrote:
Same with Automobiles.usmarine2005 wrote:
I love how airplanes are all computers now. God damn mess sometimes.
trains