Triumph of the Nerds is a documentary which delves into the rise of the personal computer; technology that we take for granted but didn’t exist several decades ago. Computers are an inexcusable part of our daily lives, we use them all the time: to assist in our work, connect with someone else perhaps across the globe, or as a distraction to squander time. In today’s society, computers run extensive systems (ex. traffic, Skytrain, satellites); but not long before even the notion that machines performing these tasks was preposterable. This 2nd industrial revolution which changed people’s lives came to be, accidentally by nerds and their love for technology. Many of the giant tech companies we know such as Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp, were started by young technology enthusiasts in their garages. A very untraditional industry had been created: businesses formed by hobbies and employees throwing away a regular work schedule (9 to 5). According to the start-up interviewed in the documentary, this equation sums up how it’s like working at their company: …show more content…
caffeine + ignorance of self-care + lack of a social life = being a programmer. This laidback, abnormal way of working is caused by their passion for programming; their lives being driven by what they can do with computers. Computers, now and then, all performed one task to process numerical data.
The only that progressed is how we’ve given the instructions used to tell the computer what to with the data: flipping switches by hand (machine code) which was an awful painful task, later computer languages (English words computers could translate into binary code) were created making programming much easier only needing to type lists of instructions. The sole reason personal computer exist right now is because back then computer terminals were uncommon, only inhabiting institutions but these fascinated nerds wanted their very own computers. However, there was a technological breakthrough required to make their dream a reality. The microprocessor chip invented by Intel, consisting millions of transistors etched in silicon replacing the once needed valves helping miniaturize huge mainframe computers into the personal computer we know
today. The idea of having a computer for home usage was a crazy idea, supposedly not practical to the time’s norms but then the world’s first personal computer was released, the Altair 8800. There was practically nothing you could do with the Altair 8800, but people were thrilled to be able to have a computer of their own. University computer clubs began toying with the machine; at the same time Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the two founders of Microsoft, had been interpreting BASIC for the Altair; allowing people to actually use the Altair for work and entertainment. Then Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak of Apple came along, envisioning microcomputers as a business idea when they were attended the Homebrew computer hobbyist club . A modern personal computer was deemed an impossible idea, but Wozniak shattered that concept reducing the required amount chips and “ta dah” the Apple 2 was created. Unfortunately for MTI which invented the Altair 8800 did not last long; the Apple 2 was in high demand making Apple unimaginably successful at an early stage. Indeed “The nerds had inherited the earth” (Cringely, Triumph of the Nerds); multi-million dollar companies have grown out of "for fun" hobbies. Computers have come a long way within a short time, the undoable had been achieved. And now there’s a billion dollar computer industry, with many startups hoping to do the same and recreate history.
Goldsborough, R. (2010, January 25). Nerd, Geek, Dweeb, Twerp — In Computer Lingo, Which One Are You? Community College Week, p. 16.
People all around agree that technology is changing how we think, but is it changing us for the better? Clive Thompson definitely thinks so and this book is his collection of why that is. As an avid fiction reader I wasn’t sure this book would captivate me, but the 352 pages seemingly flew past me. The book is a whirlwind of interesting ideas, captivating people, and fascinating thoughts on how technology is changing how we work and think.
The nerd trope is ubiquitous to American media and culture. Usually, it’s an academically ambitious kid who has beyond thick glasses, tucked pants, and acne: a target. Leonid Fridman takes on this stereotype in “America Needs Its Nerds.” Fridman condemns America’s neglect and contempt for intellect. He argues that America’s perspective is self-destructive through the use of definition, example, and patriotism.
Though being exposed to technologies like computers from an early age may have given us the ability to do things more efficiently, technology has also made us less dependent on ourselves. Claudia Wallis, editor for Time, in her article makes known in The Multitasking Generation, “That level of multiprocessing and interpersonal connectivity is now so commonplace that it’s easy to forget how quickly it came about. Fifteen years ago, most home computers weren’t even linked to the Internet” (63). There are many things that students are able to do on their computer that their parents aren't even aware of or that the parents couldn’t do themselves. My parents always tell of how looking through the library’s card catalog and searching for the books they needed only to find out that they have been taken out. Computers have allowed us to do many things faster for example, write much faster than a typewriter or pen and paper and correct typing errors without starting over. The computers and technology we now have makes it easier to almost anything and with technology so easily at your fingertips it o...
The geeks grew up during the time of “era of options” which meant unlike the geezers, the geeks were about “making history” by being over ambitious and exploring all opportunities, but wanted balance in their life too. Geeks wanted to “change the world” or make it better place to live in instead of focusing on money. Geeks saw many opportunities for jobs and growth, but loyalty to one company was not something they thought about. Geeks said the main feature of their era was speed. “It was the digital world which was nonlinear and had ditched the corporate pyramid for the flat organization (11).” What had taken the geezers 20 years to learn the geeks could do in a couple of
Technology is one of the most important things in everyone’s life. Technology improves every day. in regards to today’s youth, they were born with all the new technological inventions as opposed to our parents. In “Quality Time, Redefined” by Alex Williams, published in the New York Times, the author talks about the positive and negative effects on technology. I enjoyed this reading because it related my personal day to day life. Even though some Americans acknowledge that technology is a part of their everyday life, they do not see the negative outcome of technology, they are blinded only by the positive aspects.
The topic of technology and our society has become a very controversial subject today. Many people believe that technology is an essential component of our modern world, helping us to improve communication from farther distances as well as giving us easy access to important information. On the other hand, there is the opinion that too much technology is affecting social interactions and our basic development. “Technology…is a queer thing, it brings you great gifts with one hand, and stabs you in the back with the other.” (Carrie Snow.) The CBC Documentary “Are We Digital Dummies” displayed the pros and cons when it comes to modern technology that we use in the western world everyday.
Technology is a controversial issue in today’s world and especially in my world; it is important to understand that my father owns and operates a successful computer sales and repair business and so my knowledge of computer usage is quite extensive having not only listened to my father, but also having completed a high school computer internship. I am also currently working in a Technology Fellowship program. When it comes to the topic of technology, most of us will agree that technology surrounds us in today’s world—from television, smart phones, video games, tablets, to computers—we can readily access multitudes of information by simply accessing a computer internet search or turning on the television news. Technology has been a part of our
Born in the eighties, I entered a world of big hair and bad style. In the technological realm there were tape players, VCR’s, and fresh on the market: personal computers. Apple was domination the computer scene with their introduction of the Lisa computer. But not for long, soon computer technology would jump to unimaginable heights. As I grew up the technology around me would continue to grow and advance – quite rapidly I might add.
Today is an era of information explosion. In the past few years, many newly invented technological devices and software are now tightly integrated with our everyday lives. Today, people can look up almost any kind of information, make friends, communicate with others, and express ourselves with the simple touch of a button on a device we usually keep within arm’s reach. “Widespread use of technology is changing the way we work, learn, and communicate – even the way we carry out our regular, daily activities.”(Seifer and Mihalynuk) These devices not only benefit our livelihoods and increase our happiness, but they are also integral in advancing education, technology, development, and, in general, human evolution. The children of today, who have been raised in this era of information explosion, will undoubtedly reap such benefits and, in turn, advance society towards a better generation.
Another example of the change in our technology over the last century is the change in the computer. In 1946, the first electronic computer called the ENIAC took up the space of a large room. Instead of using transistors and IC chips, the ENIAC used vacuum tubes. Compared to many computers now, the ENIAC is about as powerful as a small calculator. That may not be much, but it is a milestone because there would not be computers today if it were not for the ENIAC. As the years passed, the computer became smaller and more powerful. Today, more than half of the American population has a computer in their home. The personal computers today are thousands of times more powerful than the most powerful computers fifty years ago.
But in the use of the term “technology” today, there is far more associated meaning than automobiles or washing machines. It has ushered in an entirely new way of working, and in increasing numbers of organizations, increased options of just where work associated with a particular job will be done. More employees than ever have the option of working at home yet still being employed either full...
The computer evolution has been an amazing one. There have been astonishing achievements in the computer industry, which dates back almost 2000 years. The earliest existence of the computer dates back to the first century, but the electronic computer has only been around for over a half-century. Throughout the last 40 years computers have changed drastically. They have greatly impacted the American lifestyle. A computer can be found in nearly every business and one out of every two households (Hall, 156). Our Society relies critically on computers for almost all of their daily operations and processes. Only once in a lifetime will a new invention like the computer come about.
Another big change that computers have made in our everyday lives is that with the internet we can now access information about just about anything, at any time, and we can do this from the comfort of our own home. Credit cards can be used to do on-line shopping at virtually any store. E-mail has changed the way that people communicate, it is usually free of charge and mail is sent and received in minutes. Devices such as video phones and web-cams make video conferencing possible. This allows people to see who they are talking to in “real-time” even if they are on opposite ends of the map.
From classroom activities to space flight and everything in between, computers are a vital part of daily life. Everything we do and every aspect of our life is affected by modern technology, like the computers. Computers let us dissect any sort of data. Computers make us reflect, hence we develop. Because of computers and the Internet, we can talk with individuals from diverse nations, and even see them via webcams.