The Glass Cages Analysis

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Essay #1 Riley Dirkes The Glass Cage: How Our Computers Are Changing Us by Nicholas Carr is a technological study about automation. Carr defines automation as “the use of computers and software to do things we used to do by ourselves” (1). Our society believes that automation is progress and benefits us in a positive way, but Carr challenges that idea. He criticizes society’s dependency on technology and the consequences that it has on our future. As a society we welcome technology and are amazed by its capabilities and the many ways it has simplified our lives. Carr acknowledges the benefits of automation, but believes they come with hidden human costs. When we work, we are the most satisfied because we are being challenged to use our …show more content…

He starts out the chapter by telling two stories about airline crashes that happened in 2009 that claimed nearly 300 lives. Both of these incidents were blamed on pilot error. Throughout time aviation has become more and more automated. From the very first automated flight in 1914 to now, airlines and plane manufacturers have been working on shifting the work from humans to machines. Today, pilots only control a total of three minutes between take-off and landing. Though plane crashes have been declining, there has been this new type of crash, which is due to human …show more content…

He first discusses technology-centered automation; the type of automation where technology comes first and the human comes second. Humans are given the smallest possible role in technology because they are seen as less reliable. Carr argues that this type of automation creates automation complacency, leaving us trusting the machine while our attention drifts elsewhere. If the computer makes an error, we become less likely to intervene, creating a whole new problem. Computers fail to know the outside world therefore must receive certain information from a human. This type of automation does not have the user in mind therefore may fail to communicate effectively, which can lead to undesirable outcomes. Carr believes though that this is the type of automation we as humans prefer. We chose technology that will simplify our lives and free up the most amount of time instead of the ones that will just assist

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