Jan
27
Response to Man-Computer Symbiosis
Filed Under Uncategorized
J.C.R Licklider’s article “Man-Computer Symbiosis” shares insight on the differences between man and machine and how to bridge the gap between them. He argues that in order for knowledge to grow, we must utilize a tool that will faciliate the growth of knowledge. One way that would be possible is if we have a symbiotic relationship with computers. He argues that, “the cooperative interaction would greatly improve the thinking process.” That is his ideal vision, but he acknowledges that there are setbacks and obstacles, the most significant being our language differences.
It’s interesting for me to observe the difference between languages in real time. As part of my first year seminar taught by an excellent professor in the computer science department, I have witnessed this blockade between languages. After entering long, repetitive, and mundane forumalas, my professor was able to create a simple program that would understand and react to inputs very succesfully as long as those inputs were within the confines of the formula. Going outside of that formula would result in the infamous “error” message that is so negatively, but appropriately, associated with computers. Thus, it’s very clear that we are far from creating some system that realistically and succesffuly realizes Licklider’s dream; however, even without a perfect man-machine symbiosis, I’d argue that the thinking process has dramatically improved since the 1960s.
Has it reached its potential? To put it in perspective, did the bow and arrow as a weapon reach its potential? Did the rifle? Did the canon? Did the machine gun? Did the Atomic bomb? The short, and somewhat frightening answer is, hell to the no.