The Social Impact of Computers
- 1st Edition - February 24, 1992
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Author: Richard S. Rosenberg
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 5 9 7 1 3 0 - 0
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 6 7 1 5 - 9
The Social Impact of Computers should be read as a guide to the social implications of current and future applications of computers. Among the basic themes presented are the… Read more
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Request a sales quoteThe Social Impact of Computers should be read as a guide to the social implications of current and future applications of computers. Among the basic themes presented are the following: the changing nature of work in response to technological innovation as well as the threat to jobs; personal freedom in the machine age as manifested by challenges to privacy, dignity, and work; the relationship between advances in computer and communications technology and the possibility of increased centralization of authority; and the emergence and influence of artificial intelligence and its role in decision-making, especially in military applications. The book begins with background and historical information on computers and technology. Separate chapters then cover major applications: business, medicine, education, government; major social issues, including crime, privacy, work; and new technologies and problems: industry regulation, electronic funds transfer systems, international competition, national industrial policies, robotics and industrial automation, productivity, the information society, videotex. The final chapter discusses issues associated with ethics and professionalism. The material presented should be accessible to most university students who have had an introductory course in computer science. Self taught or sufficiently motivated individuals who have gained an understanding of how computers operate should also profit from this book. Especially useful are backgrounds in sociology, economics, history, political science, or philosophy.
PrefaceAcknowledgments1 Computers are Everywhere Introduction A Variety of Applications Societal Issues Summary Notes Additional Readings2 Computers and the Human Imagination Introduction The Intelligent Machine in Fact and Fiction Computers as a Creative Medium Contemporary Views of the Machine Artificial Intelligence: a Brief Introduction Summary Notes Additional Readings3 Criticism and History Introduction Comments on Technological Change A Brief History of Computers The Emergence of the Chip Summary Notes Additional Readings4 The Business World Introduction Data Processing Systems Management Information Systems: A Promise Unrealized? The Office of the Future Organizational and Social Issues Summary Notes Additional Readings5 Medicine and Computers Introduction Medical Information Systems Medical Applications Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Computers and the Disabled Social Issues Summary Notes Additional Readings6 Computers and Education Introduction Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) Computers in Higher Education Computer Literacy Issues and Problems Summary Notes Additional Readings7 Government and Computers Introduction Information Processing: Issues and Problems The Political Process The Nation's Defense Issues and Problems Summary Notes Additional Readings8 Computers and the Law Introduction Computer Crime The Legal Protection of Software Other Developments Summary Notes Additional Readings9 Privacy and Freedom of Information Introduction The Nature of Privacy Databases Privacy Legislation Freedom of Information Issues and Problems: Present and Future Summary Notes Additional Readings10 Employment and Unemployment Introduction Experiences of Workers Computers and Employment The Response of Unions Women, Computers, and Work The Changing Nature of Work Summary Notes Additional Readings11 Business and Government Introduction Industry Regulation EFTS: Electronic Funds Transfer Systems Competitiveness National Industrial Policy Other Issues Summary Notes Additional Readings12 Robotics and Industrial Automation Introduction Industrial Robotics Current Use and Development Why Use Robots? Work and Productivity Industrial Automation Summary Notes Additional Readings13 The Information Society Introduction The Home/Personal Computer Electronic Mail, Teleconferencing, and Bulletin Boards Videotex Perspectives on the Information Society Summary Notes Additional Readings14 Ethics and Professionalism Introduction Ethics Professionalism Final Comments Summary Notes Additional ReadingsAppendix: Magazines, Journals, and AssociationsIndex
- Edition: 1
- Published: February 24, 1992
- No. of pages (eBook): 398
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780125971300
- eBook ISBN: 9781483267159
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