What Can We Learn from the Computers of 1966? đź’»

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Summary:

  1. Physicality of Early Computers: In 1966, computers like Harvard’s PDP-4 were experienced as physical entities, with users interacting through tangible elements like toggle switches and even listening to the machine’s sounds to gauge its performance.

  2. Lessons from the Past: Harvard CS professor Harry R. Lewis emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical and tangible aspects of early computing to appreciate the development of human-computer interaction and to recognize the limits of AI and machine learning.

  3. Human Judgment and AI: Lewis argues that despite advances in AI, machines will remain “counterfeit humans” and cannot replace human judgment, wisdom, and companionship. The challenge is to ensure future generations remember what makes us uniquely human.

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