Humans as Computers as Humans

While reading "Mind Vs. Machine" by Brian Christian, there was one section of the article that truly shocked me. It made me think in a way that I never have before. On the second page, section "The Sentence," Christian states that "it's important to realize that computers used to be human." He is completely right. Every function that a computer does was something that someone had to do by hand with a pencil and paper or calculator. As humans we accomplished some amazing things without computers. I never realized that the first accurate prediction for the return of Halley's Comet and the Manhatten Project were done without the use of computers. They were accomplished solely by human beings with their vast mind power.

It really got me thinking that before computers were invented, we were computers. We did everything that they do and we still can. Computers are simply faster and a lot more accurate, but there is no real difference between what we can do. It also reminded me of my senior year of high school when I was taking calculus. My dad would occasionally ask me what it was I was doing in class. I'd tell him and he would reminisce of how he did the same thing, but instead of having a calculator handy, he had to do everything by hand or consult tables. We learned the same exact thing, but the only difference was that I was able to do my calculations a lot faster. One of the main advances that computers have been able to provide for us has been speed. Computers make calculations and perform tasks instantaneously.

I love being able to use a computer, but when I think about it we could survive without them. We would most likely still be where we are today or possibly slightly behind, but we would not be at a huge disadvantage. My parents and grandparents grew up without the use of computers and they were able to do everything that I can. It is interesting to see how Christian described computers as being human instead of humans as being computers. Humans still more advanced and smarter than computers, but for how much longer?