Joseph Weizenbaum’s “Free Computer Power and Human Reason” discusses the first ever conversation computer program, ELIZA, which was able to parody as a Rogerian doctor by running on a set of scripts called DOCTORS. The creation of ELIZA brought many concerns, one being that people who see the computer as able to assume the intimate and human role of the psychotherapist are unable to draw the boundaries between the proper use of computer technology and computer applications that should be used with caution or not at all. I believe that the main worry at the time was developing computer technology so much that it could blur the line between man and machine and that the main point of the reading was to state/reiterate that there are important differences between man and machines as thinkers.
I found it interesting that even back in the 1960s where technology was a fairly new concept and very limited (compared to today) many still found it scary to think about how technology could potentially take over the world. And if you fast forward to the now, technology has pretty much taken over.. if not the world then our lives. I don’t believe we have yet founded a technology similar to ELIZA that can produce human feelings and thoughts, but technology has taken over in that we have become so dependent on such things as our laptops and smart phones.
Yeah, I definitely agree that there should be a fine line between man and machine. Although, this seems to be a great concept, perhaps this should be used in public places such as the museum to help people out with Q&A format? For example: "me- where is the rainforest? computer- the rainforest is in ____" I know it might sounds crazy that a program like this could have the capability to take over our lives. However, like all machines, they do have more potential to break down and malfunction from time to time, so this would be not as effective as human communications. But you’re right about how we are all so dependent on our laptops and phones when we used to never be!
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