Computer Ethics Discussion
The Long Range Effects of Computers
Consider the following topics for general discussion about the long range
use of computers. These topics were inspired by an article titled
"Computers: Boon or Bane?" written by Peter G. Neumann and David L. Parnas.
It appeared in the March 2001 issue of the professional magazine, the
Communications of the ACM.
- Communication Overload
Computers have been playing an increasing role in communication, but there
is a concern that with too much information being sent to people that they
will overload our ability to communicate effectively. Will computers
help us communicate or will they interfere?
- Warfare Systems
Modern weapons and warfare planning are becoming increasingly dependent
on computer technology and there is concern that computer systems will only
make more efficient killing machines. Will computers eventually create
a safer world for everyone or will they result in more slaughter, especially
of people in poorer nations who may lack the technology.
- Human Relations and Prejudice
Computers and the Internet have a great potential to unite all the peoples
of the world into one global community. This could make national borders
and superficial differences among people irrelevant. However, they can
also contribute to isolation and anti-social behavior, allowing hate to
be spread across a wide network. Will computers
ultimately lead to greater understanding among peoples or will they
encourage isolation, misunderstanding, and hatred.
- Education
Computers have a tremendous potential in education, providing rich resources
and a wealth of information that can be delivered on an individualized basis.
However if education is provided only on demand, there is serious concern
that students will become immersed in a cartoon world of games and play,
avoiding more challenging topics and many other essentials that will lead
to intellectual growth. Will computers really improve education or will
children become absorbed by unnecessary play?
- Decision Making
By providing computational power and good information, computers should be
able to help people think more effectively. However, readily available bad
information and totally or irrelevant distractions can mislead people and
cripple reasoning ability.
Will computers really help help us think, or will the glut of unsubstantiated
information on the web reduce our ability to make good decisions?
- Environmental Concerns
Information systems can help us create and preserve our environment and
reduce energy consumption. However, computers quickly go out of date
so people often choose to replace functional machines by the latest
models. This results in wasted energy in manufacturing as well as a
considerable disposal problem and pollution of the environment. Will
computers really imnprove our environment, or will they make it less healthy?
- Safety Risks
Computers are often used to monitor potentially dangerous situations such
as air travel, nuclear plants, medical devices, and complex machinery.
However, the software used to control these systems is often untrustworthy
and has the potential to be hacked. Will computers ultimately make our
world safer, or will they actually increase our level of risk?
- True Wealth
Computers can be help us do many things better than we did before, such as
grow more food, build better homes, create new medicines, monitor the
stock market and satisfy many basic needs. However, some express concern
that people often
become so enamored by technology for technology's sake that they waste
resources pushing for that leading edge, while wasting funds that could
be used to supply essential needs and long range economic stability.
Will computers ultimately enrich us or will they make us poorer?
- The Future
Human beings are very concerned about the current moment, and often do not
look back or forward to assess the risks. Computers could be used to make
predictions on the future, but people tend to look for short term optimization
and usually disregard the long-term costs. If we build stronger and more
robust systems to assist us, do you think mankind will have the wisdom to
remain aware of the risks of using these machines?
- The Sovereignty of Nations
One reason individuals support government is that they need the services that
those governments supply. However with the advent of the Internet, flow of
goods and services do not necessarily need to be between geographical
locations where the people making the transactions actually reside. In order
to tax something, a government must be able to locate it. It is possible for
a hypothetical person located in country "A" to arrange a transaction
between individuals in countries "B" and "C", and yet have the profits
deposited in a bank located in country "D" where taxes are avoided.
This leads to the potential for power to shift from
sovereign nations to large business who are able to control world finances
via the Internet. How vulnerable and/or volatile will governments become
as a result of less clearly defined boundaries between nations?