Computer Science Reflections on the Field, Reflections from the Field (2004) / Chapter Skim
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9 Personal Statements of Passion About Computer Science Research
9 Personal Statements of Passion About Computer Science Research
Pages 179-192
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From page 179... ...
In a reprinted letter first published in 1967, Newell, Perlis, and Simon characterize computer science broadly as the study of the phenomena surrounding computers.
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From page 180... ...
For a long time people were able to predict the motions of some of the heavenly bodies using ad hoc theories derived from observation and philosophical considerations. Claudius Ptolemy wrote the Almagest, a famous compendium of this knowledge, in the second century.
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From page 181... ...
: Computer Science is not a science, and its ultimate significance has little to do with computers. The computer revolution is a revolution in the way we think and in the way we express what we think.
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From page 182... ...
However, the process of induction of a general plan from specific examples does not work very well, so it takes many examples and much hard work on the part of the faculty and students to transfer the skills. However, if I can assume that my students are literate in a computer programming language, then I can use programs to communicate ideas about how to solve problems: I can write programs that describe the general technique of solving a class of problems and give that program to the students to read.
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From page 183... ...
Previous revolutions have entered culture by affecting the way we think and the way we talk: we discuss economic phenomena in terms of "market forces." We talk about geopolitical developments as having "momentum." We think it is hard to accomplish an organizational change because of "inertia." In exactly the same way we will find computational metaphors sneaking into our vocabulary. We already hear ourselves describing some social interactions as "networking." We may "ping" a friend to see if he "acks," indicating that he is available.
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From page 184... ...
184 COMPUTER SCIENCE: REFLECTIONS FAIRY TALES Allen Newell, Carnegie Mellon University NOTE: This essay is reproduced by permission of Allen Newell Archives, Carnegie Mellon University, in the print (non-electronic) form of this report and can be read there on pages 184 through 188.
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From page 185... ...
PERSONAL PASSION ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCH 185 NOTE: See page 184.
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From page 186... ...
186 COMPUTER SCIENCE: REFLECTIONS NOTE: See page 184.
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From page 187... ...
PERSONAL PASSION ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCH 187 NOTE: See page 184.
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From page 188... ...
188 COMPUTER SCIENCE: REFLECTIONS NOTE: See page 184.
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From page 189... ...
PERSONAL PASSION ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCH 189 REVISITING "WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE" Allen Newell, Carnegie Mellon University NOTE: This essay is reproduced by permission of Allen Newell Archives, Carnegie Mellon University, in the print (non-electronic) form of this report and can be read there on pages 189 through 192.
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From page 190... ...
190 COMPUTER SCIENCE: REFLECTIONS NOTE: See page 189.
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From page 191... ...
PERSONAL PASSION ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCH 191 NOTE: See page 189.
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From page 192... ...
192 COMPUTER SCIENCE: REFLECTIONS NOTE: See page 189.
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