Computers

On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungs-problem

In 1936, Alan Turing, a then young mathematician, published a paper that would fundamentally alter the course of computing and, indeed, human history. The paper, titled On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungs-problem, introduced concepts that would lay the groundwork for modern computer science. Turing's work addressed a critical question posed by David Hilbert: the Entscheidungs-problem, or "decision problem," which asks whether there exists a definitive method that can determine the truth of any given mathematical statement.

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As We May Think

In the summer of 1945, as the world was transitioning from the turmoil of World War II into a period of reconstruction and reevaluation, Vannevar Bush, an American engineer and science administrator, published a visionary essay titled As We May Think. This essay, first appearing in The Atlantic Monthly, not only captured the imagination of its readers but also laid the conceptual groundwork for future innovations in information technology and knowledge management.

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Computing Machinery and Intelligence

In 1950, Alan Turing published a seminal paper titled Computing Machinery and Intelligence, sparking a pivotal dialogue that continues to resonate across the disciplines of computer science, philosophy, psychology, and artificial intelligence (AI). This paper is most renowned for introducing what is now called the Turing Test—a method to determine if a machine can exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from that of a human. Turing's exploration begins with the provocative question, "Can machines think?"—a query that has shaped the course of artificial intelligence research and ethical discussions ever since.

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Man-Computer Symbiosis

This visionary document explores the potential cooperative interaction between humans and computers, a concept that has deeply influenced the development of modern computing and information technology.

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Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits

In 1965, Gordon E. Moore, co-founder of Intel, penned a pivotal article titled "Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits," which appeared in *Electronics Magazine*. This article not only demonstrated keen observation and prediction about the future of computing hardware but also laid the groundwork for what would later be coined as "Moore's Law." In this concise yet influential piece, Moore outlined his observation that the number of transistors on integrated circuits had doubled every year since their invention and predicted that this trend would continue for at least another decade.

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Snow Crash

The novel that introduced the metaverse. Published in 1992, Neal Stephenson dives headfirst into a high-octane, cyberpunk-infused future where information technology and economic globalization have transformed society. The book is both a thrilling adventure and a prophetic vision of the digital age, showcasing Stephenson's sharp wit and profound insights into the nexus of technology, culture, and politics.

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The Coming Age of Calm Technology

A visionary exploration into the future of technology, where the omnipresence of computing leads to a more intuitive, less intrusive integration with daily life. First introduced in the mid-1990s, the concept of calm computing was developed at Xerox PARC, where Weiser served as the Chief Technologist. This foundational piece posits that as technology advances, it should recede into the background of our lives, becoming as ubiquitous and unobtrusive as the air we breathe.

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The iPhone Launch

When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone on January 9, 2007, at the Macworld convention in San Francisco, it was a pivotal moment not just for Apple, but for the entire world of technology and communications. Addressing a packed audience, Jobs, with his characteristic showmanship and excitement, declared that Apple was going to reinvent the phone. This introduction set the stage for a presentation that was about to unveil a device that would fundamentally change how people interact with technology.

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