Reading Response 3

The reading was about the interaction of man and computers and how it would benefit productivity in the future. Computers and humans think, speak, and work differently, but by working together, they can make up for each other's weaknesses. The article goes on talking about the different man-computer symbiosis examples and the problems that exist currently between achieving such examples. For example, the author was considering the ability to make a computer able to understand humans through speech instead of a typing through a keyboard. It would be critical if the higher executive could make real-time decisions instead of having to go through the hassle of imputing it himself or having his assistant do so.

In the second article, it talks about communicating through machines and how we would be networked through similar interests instead of by chance of meeting in real life. It would save lots of travel time and increase productivity because only what is relevant would show up through the console.

I found it interesting about how much thought was put into this idea and that in today's world, most humans depend on computers to accomplish tasks and communicate. The more we depend on them, the less we can do simple "clerical" work because we don't need to think about them anymore. I find this especially relevant to simple math considering that most of us rely on calculator to do anything beyond simple arithmetic. So in that case, most of my generation are used to the idea of using computers as a tool to quicken our productivity.

Also, I thought the second article was a bit strange because most of my generation probably already does all of this through instant messaging, texting, or forums. We're so accustomed to this that we don't know how to deal with people outside of our interests, therefore making us all socially awkward and intolerant. So it wouldn't make too much sense to be completely dependent on this idea of complete communication through consoles but rather a mix since it is more comfortable for humans to interact face to face.