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COMPUTERS:
CHANGIN<
by
Jeff Zhorne
The computer is radically
changing traditional con–
cepts of work. Here's how
you will be affected.
I
SN'T IT
incredible ? On
one hand the world
enjoys an unprecedented
zenith of technologica l
advancemen t , yet on the
other hand humanity stands
on the verge of nuclear anni–
hilation.
What a paradox that man has
succeeded in bui lding comput–
ers that have tailored a new
scientific age, but at the same
t ime man has failed to solve
social evils!
Dawn of a New Age?
Comput e r s are making str ong
inroads into nearly every aspect of
life. Sorne fi nd the prospect excit–
ing--others fi nd it unnerving. The
fact is that the ability to use a com–
puter is rapidly becoming a job
requi rement.
For example, about 75 percent of
all jobs in the Uni ted States within
the next two years wi ll involve
computers. In other countries simi–
lar shifts toward computerization
are expected.
Computers are being invited into
the home, under the guise of video
games or budget planners. T hey
may serve to monitor a domestic
security system, t urn on the
coffee pot, regulate the ther–
mostat or manage the busi-
ness portfolio.
Offices, including our own
Plain Truth
offices, are being
invaded by increasing numbers of
computers posing as word proces–
sors. One magazine reported that
in the U.S., about 10 percent
of the typewriters in the 500
largest indust r ial organiza-
tions have so far been replaced by
such equipment.
Computer manufacturers are
delighted by the new revenues. In
only 40 years since the inception of
digital computers, the electronic
machines have flooded the market–
place, the work environment, the
domestic scene-no aspect of one's
daily activities goes untouched.
Not only do computers help reg–
ulate air traffic, navigate spacecraft
and manufacture automobiles, they
now forecast weather and monitor
your bank balance- as well as facil–
itate correction of typographical
errors in magazine articles like this
one!
Whether you live in South Afri–
ca, Switzerland o r the South
Pacific, computers probably make
transactions quick, convenient and
reliable, every time you place a
travel reservation, buy clothing at a
department store or food at a gro–
cery market.
Computerized Compet ition
Israel , France, West Germany, the
People's Republic of China, among
others, are scrambling to develop
their own microchip industries and
to keep their people employed in
the burgeoning fi elds that comput–
er-science opens up.
World leaders, includ ing
those in the Soviet Uni on, a re
aware that computers are essential
if they want to compete in the fren–
zied intcrnational economic scene.
But what effect is this all having on
the individual human being?
A study into computers' poten–
tia] by the Japan Information Pro–
cessing Development Center was
completed just two years ago. l t
points to industry converting to an
"information-based economy lcss
dependent on imported raw mate–
rials and energy."
A similar survey and conclu–
s ion occur red in Fr ance.
J
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